Adult Education Marketing and Community Outreach Programme (1)

Hina Bokhari: With reference to your answer to 2022/0583, please set out a detailed timeline for when the long-term adult education marketing and community outreach programme to promote the adult education offer, including digital skills, will be implemented?

The Mayor: As set out in my response to question 2022/0583, my adult education marketing and community outreach programme involves a number of strands. This includes the Jobs and Skills Campaign, a community grants programme and Mayor of London Learning Awards. The timeline for the programme is set out below (see attached table)

The Mayor: 2022- 1447 Adult Education Marketing and Community Outreach Programme (1)_.docx

London Tree Map

Hina Bokhari: What actions are you taking to collect data on local authority maintained trees from the remaining boroughs in London where data does not exist?

The Mayor: The London Tree Map was last updated in January 2021 and contains data from 26 of the London boroughs, the City of London and Transport for London.
Officers are currently working with Greenspace Information for Greater London (GiGL), the city’s Environmental Records Centre, to request more recent data from all local authorities. We aim to update the map again in autumn 2022.
Officers are also working with the London Tree Officers Association, as part of the London Urban Forest Plan, to encourage boroughs to share their tree data. This includes working toward the new national Individual Tree Data Standard to encourage a common approach to data collection and make it easier to combine data from multiple sources.

Routemaster buses

Caroline Pidgeon: In answer to question number 2021/1419 you stated that “Transport for London (TfL) is currently exploring options for rehoming or selling the buses. I hope this may lead to the vehicles being celebrated in other ways, such as heritage days on regular routes at weekends. TfL continues to maintain London traditions in other ways, such as our iconic red livery on buses and through the work of the London Transport Museum.” Please provide an update on this statement you made.

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) sold six heritage Routemaster buses to private buyers in December 2021 through a competitive bidding process. TfL is currently looking at options to rehome the remaining heritage Routemaster buses.

E-Scooter rental trials (1)

Caroline Pidgeon: Please state when the evaluation of the e-scooter rental trials in London will be published?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) publishes headline metrics from the e-scooter rental trial in London on its website here every four weeks. TfL will publish a trial evaluation report for the London trial after the trial ends.

Enforcement of Divisional Court judgement relating to Private Hire Vehicles

Caroline Pidgeon: Please set out the actions that TfL is taking to enforce the Divisional Court judgment of December 2021 requiring London private hire vehicles to contract directly with passengers in the interests of public safety and to ensure that passengers have appropriate legal recourse in the event that something goes wrong during a private hire journey.

The Mayor: It is the responsibility of all London private hire vehicle (PHV) operators to ensure they are compliant with the Court’s judgment. By now, all London PHV operators should have reviewed their contractual terms and ways of working and made any necessary changes.
Following the Court’s ruling, Transport for London (TfL) has published several TPH Notices as well as detailed guidance for PHV operators, please see Mayor’s Question 2022/1591.
TfL is clear that operators should not wait to be contacted by TfL before ensuring they are compliant with the Court’s ruling and should be prepared to demonstrate compliance, upon request, at any time.

E-Scooter Rental trials (3)

Caroline Pidgeon: It has been claimed that e-scooters are an environmentally friendly form of transport. Please provide any research of evidence undertaken by TfL or other partners that provide the evidence for such statements.

The Mayor: The three operators selected by Transport for London (TfL) for the rental e-scooter trial in London had to pass a rigorous competitive tender process, part of which focused on their environmental impact and demonstration of their end-of-life processes for their rental e-scooters. The environmental requirements of the operators are set out in the Administration Agreements published on TfL’s website here. All three operators use a fully electric fleet, which are supported by electric vans and electric cargo bikes for the London trial operations. These vehicles are all charged using 100 per cent renewable energy. To find out more about the operators’ specific sustainability plans you can visit their websites:
There is currently no standardised methodology for measuring the full lifecycle environmental impact of rental e-scooters. The success of rental e-scooters as an environmentally friendly form of transport is likely to depend in part on what journeys they replace, which is something TfL is seeking to establish as accurately as it can in the final trial evaluation report.

E-Scooter rental trials (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: Does TfL have any plans to undertake research into the extent that e-scooters in the rental trials have led to a switch away from other forms of transport, including walking and cycling and the use of public transport?

The Mayor: One of the objectives of the UK trials is to collect data to understand the impact of rental e-scooters on the demand for travel by car, walking, cycling and public transport, and the extent to which any mode shift could be realised by users switching trips to rental e-scooters.
The Department for Transport (DfT) has been collecting mode shift data from end-of-ride surveys from all e-scooter trial locations, including London. To feed into this national data collection, Transport for London (TfL) is working closely with the three operators taking part in the trial in London (Dott, Lime and TIER) to examine the available data points on mode shift, ensuring findings are representative and robust. TfL intends to include these findings in its published trial evaluation report after the trial finishes.

Youth workers in schools

Caroline Russell: How many youth workers are based in schools across London, and do you have any plans to increase this number?

The Mayor: Youth workers provide crucial support to young Londoners in community and school settings. However, there is no single data source collating the number of them in London schools.
Through my £45m Young Londoners Fund, some projects are delivering activities that offer youth work in schools, for example, Poplar HARCA’s Get Involved Project, provided youth workers to support young people in Langdon Park School in Tower Hamlets. My Violence Reduction Unit is also funding programmes that provide youth worker support in schools, such as the pan-London Pupil Referral Unit Mentoring Programme.[DH1]
In March 2022, I funded 18 new mentoring projects as part of the New Deal for Young People mission. Some funded organisations will focus on providing youth workers as mentors in schools, for example, Reaching Higher in Croydon.

Regulation of the Private Rented Sector (5)

Sem Moema: Do you believe the Government should legislate for a “Right to Repair” which would give tenants more ability to stand up to exploitative landlords?

The Mayor: I believe all tenants have the right to live in safe, secure properties and have repairs carried out as quickly as possible. I provide support to local authorities working to tackle rogue landlords in the PRS through my PRS Partnership and Better Renting programme, which aim to improve local authority skills and capacity to enforce standards.
At present it is unclear how a ‘right to repair’ similar to that which currently applies for some social tenants could work in the private rented sector due to the current lack of an effective redress mechanism for tenants. However, the new PRS Ombudsman announced in the Queen’s speech is intended to improve access to redress for private renters. I look forward to further detail in the forthcoming private rented sector white paper.

Regulation of the Private Rented Sector (4)

Sem Moema: Do you believe the ability for councils to introduce a comprehensive landlord licensing scheme should be included in the upcoming white paper on the Private Rented Sector?

The Mayor: As my 2018 London Housing Strategy makes clear, I have been a long-term supporter of private rented sector property licensing, and I believe there is a strong case for every property in London to be licensed. I am calling for powers to grant selective licensing schemes in London to be devolved to me as part of the Government’s Levelling Up agenda, with a view to enabling many more councils in London to use this valuable enforcement tool.

Regulation of the Private Rented Sector (3)

Sem Moema: What would you like to see from the Government’s upcoming white paper into the Private Rented Sector?

The Mayor: I welcome the measures confirmed in the Queen’s Speech on ending no fault eviction, introducing a property portal which I understand will serve as a landlord register, reforming possession grounds, introducing a legally binding Decent Homes Standard and introducing a new ombudsman. These measures will minimise churn, ensure tenants can demand better standards without fear of retaliatory eviction, help landlords to better fulfil their responsibilities and give renters a clear and accessible pathway for mediation and redress.
However, this is now the third time these proposals have been announced in the Queen’s Speech, so it is imperative we see the promised white paper as soon as possible. It must set out a strong commitment to open-ended tenancies, protections for vulnerable renters, confirmation that registration with the new property portal will be compulsory and more detail about how a new Decent Homes Standard can work for the private rented sector.
I also continue to lobby the Government to give me the power to introduce rent control, most recently in a letter to Boris Johnson on 9th May.

Regulation of the Private Rented Sector (2)

Sem Moema: What support can the Government provide to councils in London to help them regulate the Private Rented Sector?

The Mayor: I welcome the announcements in the Queen’s speech to support councils’ enforcement work, especially the creation of a property portal to serve as a national landlord database, and a new, legally binding Decent Homes Standard. I look forward to further detail in the forthcoming white paper.
I have repeatedly called for licensing powers to be devolved to City Hall to allow me to improve access to this valuable enforcement tool. I look forward to discussing this with government as part of the Levelling Up agenda.
Finally, government must also channel additional resources to councils to make better use of their existing powers, including addressing skills gaps and staff shortages.

Regulation of the Private Rented Sector (1)

Sem Moema: What support is the GLA providing to councils in London to regulate the Private Rented Sector?

The Mayor: Despite having no formal powers, I am doing all I can to support London boroughs to regulate the PRS.
My PRS Partnership brings boroughs together to share intelligence and best practice, and to develop initiatives to improve standards and conditions for renters. Projects delivered via the Partnership include The Rogue Landlord and Agent Checker, used by councils to share information in their enforcement efforts; The Report a Rogue Tool, which alerts councils to properties reported by the public as being in poor condition or owned by criminal landlords; and The Property Licence Checker, which enables renters to check whether a property should be licenced. Property licencing is an important tool that boroughs can use to enforce decent standards in the PRS. Tenants whose landlord has not obtained the correct license may be able to reclaim up to 12 months’ worth of rent.
My Better Renting programme is delivering a suite of training and upskilling opportunities to borough officers, including the delivery of a bespoke new PRS qualification.
I am also working in partnership with Safer Renting to train Metropolitan Police Officers on how to deal with illegal evictions.

Building & Fire Safety Deal with Developers (5)

Sem Moema: What support is being given to those living in buildings where the freeholder isn’t contactable as part of the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ deal with developers?

The Mayor: I welcomed the developer pledge as I have always been clear that leaseholders should not have to pay towards fixing a problem that was not their fault. I have been pushing for this since 2020 when I proposed a developer levy. Details of how the developer pledge will work in practice are being finalised by government but I will be lobbying to ensure leaseholders interests are put first.
As you know, in addition to the commitment from developers, government has set up three funds to cover the cost of the replacement of unsafe cladding systems on residential buildings over 18 metres In addition, government has also announced the launch of an 11 -18 metre cladding remediation fund. In all cases, the responsible entity of in-scope buildings - which can be a head leaseholder, RTM or management company - must apply for funding so an absent freeholder does not necessarily delay the remediation of unsafe buildings.

Building & Fire Safety Deal with Developers (4)

Sem Moema: Does the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ deal with developers provide any support for non-cladding defects on buildings over 18 meters in height?

The Mayor: A core commitment within the pledge is that leaseholders should not have to pay for any “life-critical fire safety remediation work”. Participant developers will pay the costs of fixing any such issues in their buildings, providing that they are above 11 meters and were built up to 30 years ago. Government has confirmed that developers who have signed up to the pledge will fix non-cladding defects in their own buildings.

Building & Fire Safety Deal with Developers (3)

Sem Moema: What support will there be for tenants and leaseholders living in buildings whose height is under 18 meters as part of the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ agreement with developers?

The Mayor: In January 2022, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) announced a £4bn grant scheme for the remediation of 11 to 18 metre residential buildings with unsafe cladding systems. In addition, the Secretary of State called on developers to submit proposals for contributing towards funding for cladding remediation on these buildings.
In April, DLUHC confirmed that 45 developers have signed up to a pledge to pay for all costs associated with life-critical fire-safety works required in buildings over 11 metres that they have played a role in developing or refurbishing over the last 30 years in England. This will include buildings they have developed on behalf of social landlords as part of Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
I remain concerned that leaseholders in buildings below 11m with cladding or other building safety defects remain out of the scope of this funding. I will continue to press ministers to ensure that no leaseholder faces bills to put right building safety defects that they played no part in causing.

Building & Fire Safety Deal with Developers (2)

Sem Moema: What discussions has the GLA had with Government officials regarding the deal they have struck with developers to pay for building safety works?

The Mayor: GLA officers have been working closely with officials at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on this issue. Discussions have centred on the impact of the ‘developer pledge’ on the buildings registered to the Building Safety Fund and currently with the GLA to progress.

Transport for London Staff Interventions in Mental Health Crises

Krupesh Hirani: Please provide a breakdown of how many mental health crises Transport for London (TfL) staff have intervened in over the last five years.

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) staff have made 2,255 life-saving interventions over the last five years.
Interventions have seen a 101%* increase, primarily achieved by providing customer facing colleagues with Suicide Prevention training.
London Underground’s internationally recognised Suicide Prevention Programme has helped its staff to identify those in mental health crisis and accordingly reduce the rate of suicide on its network by 44% over the last five years.
Customers displaying suicidal or extremely distressed behaviour
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
(to 12 May 2022)
Number of staff interventions
230
411
563
405
463
188
*Interventions in 2021 compared to interventions in 2017

Cost of Living Hub (1)

Neil Garratt: How much funding have you provided for your Cost of Living Hub and how long is it currently planned to run for?

The Mayor: The Cost of Living Hub was developed and built in-house by GLA officers at no additional cost.
I have allocated £3.7m from the 2022-23 GLA budget for actions in response to the cost of living. Part of this funding will be used to improve the usability and accessibility of the hub; support targeted awareness raising of the hub through targeted community engagement; and fund the development of new or existing third-party digital tools that can be signposted to from the hub.
The remainder of the £3.7m funding will focus on ensuring we can reach Londoners who are digitally excluded or who would benefit from accessing face-to-face support.
Separately to this, the hub and the support it offers will be promoted to Londoners through an online and in-person campaign funded through existing resource.
The hub will remain live while the cost of living crisis is still affecting Londoners.

Estate ballot for Central Hill residents, Lambeth

Siân Berry: A constituent has contacted me regarding development plans at the Central Hill Estate in Lambeth, raising concerns that the Council appears to have no plans to hold an estate ballot over the proposed demolition and rebuild, despite a Freedom of Information request revealing that GLA grant funding is being used for the scheme, and no ballot exemption for the estate being listed on the GLA website. Could you provide residents with assurances and plans for what action you will take if Lambeth Council does not carry out an estate ballot?

The Mayor: There is no ballot exemption because the allocation for this regeneration in the 16-23 Programme has been handed back. There is an allocation in the 21-26 programme, which has the ballot condition attached. In the event that this ballot does not happen, funding will be withdrawn.

Relative Employment Rates in London

Hina Bokhari: Has Covid-19 had any measurable impact on the relative employment rates for BAME, women and disabled people? What targets do you have in place for improving these employment rates?

The Mayor: Figures from the Office for National Statistics suggest that employment gaps for women, BAME and disabled Londoners do not seem to have widened between 2019 and 2021. Nevertheless, employment rates for these groups of Londoners remain far lower than for their White, male, and non-disabled counterparts.
My skills and employment programmes – including the Mayor’s Academies Programme, No Wrong Door, Skills Bootcamps and others funded by the Adult Education Budget and European Social Fund – have been designed to support Londoners into good jobs and close employment gaps, and they are underpinned by equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) targets. Across these programmes, the aggregated EDI targets for 2022-23 are for at least 45% of Londoners supported to be from BAME backgrounds, 38% female, and 13% who are Deaf or disabled.

Financial Exclusion and Literacy

Hina Bokhari: What measurable results have been delivered in respect to the previous commitments you made to address some of the key causes of financial exclusion and increase financial literacy?

The Mayor: I am deeply concerned about the impact of rising living costs on low-income households. It is key that we support Londoners to access new work opportunities and build the numeracy skills they need to help manage the impact of rising costs.
To help Londoners into work I have supported programmes such as the London Progression Collaboration (LPC) to create new apprenticeship opportunities. To date the LPC has supported nearly 1000 apprenticeship starts. My Academies Programme and Skills Bootcamps will also support Londoners into jobs at the London Living Wage and above.
In 2020/21 my Adult Education Budget (AEB) programme supported 23,440 learners to participate in basic maths skills courses, as well as 25,766 learning aim enrolments in maths and personal finance provision as part of Preparation for Life and Work courses.
I will focus new funding for the ‘Multiply’ numeracy programme on supporting Londoners to improve their financial literacy skills to help those struggling with the rising cost of living.
I am also currently funding the Debt Free London partnership to operate their debt advice helpline on a 24/7 basis until the end of May, after which I’ll be investing a further £3.7 million in a range of activities to help Londoners maximise their incomes and reduce their outgoings. This is on top of the £1.7 million I have already invested in community-based advice partnerships that are connecting excluded Londoners with welfare and debt advice.

Affordable Childcare

Hina Bokhari: Access to affordable childcare is important to support full participation in the London economy. In the light of recent surveys (see, for example, https://www.theguardian.com/money/2022/mar/25/childcare-costs-spiralled-uk-families-survey) that have shown childcare costs rising to unmanageable levels, what representations have you made to Government to ensure that London families have access to good quality and affordable childcare?

The Mayor: I agree that access to high quality early education and childcare is vital for London. Not only does it underpin our economic success by allowing parents to work, it helps tackle inequalities and improves outcomes for our city’s most vulnerable children.
Although I cannot directly influence the cost of childcare in London, I have consistently called on the Government to address the chronic underfunding of the early years sector and increase funding levels, including through my official responses to the Treasury’s Comprehensive Spending Reviews in 2020 and 2021.
At the start of last year, I also published research into the business support needs of London’s early years sector, including recommendations for the government and other stakeholders to support its sustainability. In response to these recommendations, I launched my London Early Years Campaign, which supports parents by raising awareness about the range of existing childcare support offers available, as well as Strong Early Years London - a programme of essential business support for London’s early years providers, to support them as we emerged from the pandemic.

Educational Outcomes

Hina Bokhari: Please identify any progress that has been made in improving educational outcomes relative to other global cities, as highlighted in your 2018 Economic Development Strategy for London.

The Mayor: Attainment in London is consistently amongst the highest in the country and has been rising every year. Whilst I don’t have statutory responsibility for education, I have funded several programmes to support children to thrive in the classroom, including the Stepping Stones transition programme and the Violence Reduction Unit’s (VRU) Supporting Inclusive Schools programme. In my Economic Development Strategy for London, I committed to lobbying for sufficient funding to continue to improve outcomes for all pupils. I have met with the Secretary of State for Education and am working with partners to fight for adequate funding for the sector.
I am also working to understand and improve adult education outcomes. In August 2021, I launched the London Learner Survey to collect data on outcomes achieved by learners that enrolled in courses funded through the Adult Education Budget (AEB). Data will allow us to evaluate the impact of AEB provision in London.

World Car Free Day

Hina Bokhari: After having not participated in 2021, and with respect to the commitment you made to explore options for future car-free days in London in answer to 2021/3585, will you commit to London taking part in car free day this year?

The Mayor: I remain committed to reducing car use and encouraging more people to walk, cycle and use public transport. Our ability to effectively deliver on active travel is dependent on reaching a secure longer-term funding solution with Government which will enable Transport for London (TfL) to continue to build infrastructure, engage local communities and deliver marketing and behaviour change initiatives to help people switch to active travel from their car.
No decision has been made about Car Free Day 2022 due to the ongoing uncertainty over TfL funding. Our existing funding agreement with Government has been extended until 24 June 2022 and I’m afraid that I won’t be able to confirm any plans until after this date.
I remain confident that we will still be able to do something meaningful to mark this important day.

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month

Hina Bokhari: What further progress has been made in exploring how to mark Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month this year?

The Mayor: We are delighted that this year's Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History month event will be held in London’s Living Room in City Hall on the evening of 23rd June, 5.45pm – 7.30pm. The event is being delivered in partnership with Roma Support Group, Southwark Traveller Action Group, Traveller Movement and London Gypsies and Travellers.

Kerslake Review (4)

Sem Moema: How will the GLA build stronger relationships with central government, particularly DLUHC and Treasury, as recommended by the Kerslake Review?

The Mayor: I have always been open to working constructively with the government to address the needs of Londoners and to tackle our joint priorities.
Improved GLA Group collaboration, including through the new Homes for Londoners Board sub-committee will help identify joint priorities for government engagement. A review of current touchpoints is underway and this will help to streamline engagement and make it more consistent across the GLA Group.
My Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development has invited the Housing Minister for regular meetings to work through strategic issues. While a productive relationship will deliver significant benefits for London and the UK, success will also depend on the government engaging productively.

Small Sites in the Kerslake Review

Sem Moema: How will the GLA Group look to maximise the potential of small sites in light of the Kerslake Review?

The Mayor: The Kerslake Review highlighted the success that TfL has had disposing of small sites through my Small Sites Small Builders portal. It also identifies that the strategic oversight of the senior professional lead will help to coordinate small sites opportunities from across the GLA Group. The consolidated programme will help to address inefficiencies of Group members progressing small sites individually. In my 2022-23 budget I have provided £300,000 per annum for a period of three years to continue the Small Sites Small Builders programme which the GLA Group sites will form part of.

Right to Buy Receipts

Sem Moema: Further to MQ 2019/17578, how much Right to Buy receipts have been returned to the GLA or London boroughs from the Government in each year since 2012? How has this changed over time?

The Mayor: The table below shows the Right to Buy receipts returned to the Government and in turn, transferred to the GLA to deliver housing for affordable rent in London.
Financial Year
Amount
2012-13
£275,000
2014-15
£10,456,204
2015-16
£20,522,887
2016-17
£10,982,063
2017-18
£8,920,512
2018-19
£46,782,187
2019-20
£178,758,867
2020-21
£47,302,987
2021-22
£11,078,131
Total
£335,078,837

Rent and Service Charge Methodologies

Sem Moema: Can the Mayor provide a list of the different methodologies used by councils to determine how rents and service charges on council owned property are decided each year by borough?

The Mayor: The Mayor does not have a statutory responsibility for regulating rents.
Councils are landlords to a number of different types of property, including commercial premises and homes of different tenures. Where councils are landlords of affordable homes, they are treated for regulatory purposes as Local Authority Registered Providers, and subject to the Consumer Standards of the Regulator of Social Housing including the Rent Standard. This covers several tenures, each of which are subject to different rent setting formula. More detail on formulae and methodologies is provided in the government’s most recent Direction on the Rent Standard and associated ‘Policy statement on rents for social housing’.
The above guidance also considers treatment of service charges, and there are important considerations in the eligibility of certain elements of service charges for welfare benefits. Service charges are generally subject to the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. Where the GLA is funding affordable homes, the Capital Funding Guide contains further guidance on service charges and the need to consider affordability for Londoners in setting charges. The Mayor does publish guidance on how landlords should set rent levels for London Affordable Rent and London Living Rent.
All boroughs are effectively subject to the parameters above in rent setting. However, boroughs each have a different legacy in terms of mix of tenure of affordable homes, which will be subject to the restrictions on rents and service charge from different legacy regimes.

Building & Fire Safety Deal with Developers (1)

Sem Moema: Following the deal that the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has agreed with developers to pay £2bn to cover the costs of building safety work, how quickly do you expect that money to be handed out to those who need it?

The Mayor: I have long called for developers to contribute towards remediating unsafe buildings and I welcome the pledge signed by 40 developers in April. Participant developers have committed to remediation of life-critical fire safety works in English buildings over 11 metres that they have played a role in developing or refurbishing over the last 30 years.
The pledge indicates that the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) will work with these developers over the coming months to enter into legally binding documentation to deliver self-remediation and/or mitigation works on these buildings; and the withdrawal from, and/or the reimbursement of, government funding where applicable.
There is a risk that this process will slow down existing remediation plans while contractual agreements are finalised, and the detailed scope of works agreed for each building. It is therefore vital that government continues to scrutinise remediation projects outside of the BSF and ACM Funds, to ensure that work continues at pace.

Lessons from the Carmont derailment investigation

Siân Berry: What lessons has Transport for London (TfL) drawn from the Rail Accident Investigation Board (RAIB) report on the derailment of a passenger train at Carmont, Aberdeenshire?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has reviewed the findings and the recommendations of the RAIB Carmont report to identify areas where it could learn and take action to ensure the continued safe operation of its services, particularly in response to climate adaptation and future extreme weather events.
The review identified a number of actions including in relation to project management assurance, design review processes and the review of key engineering standards. These actions are now being implemented by TfL’s Engineering team.

Average grant awarded to homes of different sizes

Siân Berry: Could you provide data to illustrate the average levels of grants being awarded by your Affordable Homes Programme to homes of different sizes?

The Mayor: The GLA does not hold information on grant by bedroom size. Projects via the 2016-23 programme, Building Council Homes for Londoners and 2016-23 Addendum programme are allocated on fixed grant rates. Details of these can be found in the relevant prospectus (links provided below). To ensure responsible programme management, the GLA has the ability to offer negotiated grant rates. The AHP 2021-26 programme operates negotiated grant levels.
See AH 2016-21 Programme Prospectus:
https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/homesforlondoners-affordablehomesprogrammefundingguidance.pdf
Building Council Homes for Londoners Prospectus:
https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/building_council_homes_for_londoners_16_may.pdf
See funding addendum:
https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/addendum_to_ahp_2016-21_funding_guidance_18_june.pdf

Housing providers delivering the Affordable Homes Programme

Caroline Pidgeon: Please provide a list of private developers that housing providers who have been given Affordable Housing Grant via the GLA are working with to deliver the Affordable Homes Programme.

The Mayor: The GLA does not hold a specific list of private developers that housing providers are working with to deliver affordable housing.

Lord Kerslake’s Review of GLA Housing Delivery (5)

Caroline Pidgeon: How will fire safety standards be taken into consideration in any direct housing development by City Hall? Will you commit to City Hall setting a new gold standard for fire safety in the homes it delivers in future?

The Mayor: Fire safety is a top priority for me. It is clear responsibility to ensure homes are safe lies within the national Building Regulations but I will continue to use my London Plan to push for consideration of fire safety at the earliest design stage. Any homes built by the City Hall developer will follow the example of homes commissioned through London Development Panel 2 which requires all new homes on GLA land delivered via the panel to meet higher standards of fire safety than the Building Regulations.

Lord Kerslake’s Review of GLA Housing Delivery (4)

Caroline Pidgeon: As part of the most recent TfL funding agreement with Government, the model for TTLP - TfL’s subsidiary which is primarily responsible for housing delivery - is changing and Lord Kerslake concludes this may undermine your ability to direct or influence TfL housing delivery functions, including mandating collaboration across the GLA Group. Why is this? Is this issue being addressed in future funding negotiations?

The Mayor: With regards to future funding, the government has extended funding support for TfL until 24 June 2022. We have no certainty of what will happen after that. As I have said before, without adequate funding TfL will have to move to a managed decline scenario, meaning severe cuts to services and capital investment. The pandemic is the only reason TfL is facing a financial crisis.

TfL Pensions Review (1)

Caroline Pidgeon: Following the publication of TfL’s independent pensions review, what specific steps have you agreed to take forward? Please set out a detailed timeline for this.

The Mayor: On 28 March 2022, Transport for London (TfL) received the Final Report from the Independent Review into the TfL Pension Scheme which has been undertaken by Sir Brendan Barber with the support of pensions expert Joanne Segars OBE.
The report rightly highlights the complexity of the issues related to pensions reform and there is a lot to consider before determining what the next steps might be, if any. There are currently no proposals for changes to TfL’s pension arrangements. Crucially, the report’s findings must also be discussed with HM Government given the critical role Sir Brendan highlights they would have to play in supporting any reform, should that ultimately be proposed. This is particularly the case given legislation would likely be required, depending on the nature of any proposal. Any reform proposed in the future would be subject to consultation with all stakeholders, including staff and trade unions.

Bus Route 497

Caroline Pidgeon: A constituent has contacted me to ask whether, in light of the outcome of the consultation regarding the 497 bus service, TfL would consider “extending route 497 towards Ockendon Station (via Upminster Station) by following the 347 routing and axing route 347 because part of the route (Romford to Harold Hill) is already served by route 498. This would allow TfL to divert funding to extend route 497 by providing more bus services to areas served by the route 347”. Is this something you would support?

The Mayor: Thank you for raising this suggestion. Transport for London (TfL) received similar suggestions during the recent 497 consultation and is looking into how it might broadly meet this request. TfL expects to be in a position to share the outcome of that investigation by autumn 2022. Any structural changes to bus routes would of course be subject to further consultation.

Booster coronavirus vaccinations for Londoners

Caroline Russell: There remains a gap between the proportion of Londoners who have had first or second doses of a coronavirus vaccine and those who have had booster shots. Could you outline the steps you are taking to encourage all Londoners who are able to take a booster shot do so?

The Mayor: The vaccination rollout across London has been a great success, withmore than 18mdoses given out across the capital. Over 80% of Londoners aged over 50 have now had their booster dose.
London has a younger, more mobile and diverse population, and I have been working closely with local authorities, UKHSA, OHID, NHS London and communityorganisationsto help reach Londoners, answer their questions and make the vaccine as accessible as possible to them. This has been through events like the recent Eid in the Square celebration, as well as through targeted media campaigns, social media and a wide network of community champions.
Many younger Londoners put off their booster because they contracted the omicron variant over the winter, but I would urge them to get boosted now, if they have not yet been. The NHS is also now inviting those aged 75 or over or immunosuppressed to book their fourth jab, as part of the spring booster campaign.

TfL Pensions Review (3)

Caroline Pidgeon: To what extent are TfL’s actions in respect of the Pensions Scheme constrained by wider funding issues?

The Mayor: On 28 March Transport for London (TfL) received the Final Report from the Independent Review into the TfL Pension Scheme. The report has now been shared with the Government as required by TfL funding agreements.
The Final Report highlights that the issues associated with pensions reform are complex and that the cost to implement any reform is likely to be significant. These costs are not currently budgeted. TfL will need to consider a number of factors including affordability, sustainability and fairness before deciding what the next steps might be proposed, if any. TfL’s overall financial position will be a key consideration in any proposals that might be made. Any reform proposed in the future would be subject to consultation with all stakeholders, including staff and trade unions, and would likely require primary legislation.

TfL Pensions Review (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: Please outline TfL’s objectives in relation to changes to the Pensions Scheme.

The Mayor: On 28 March Transport for London (TfL) received the Final Report from the Independent Review into the TfL Pension Scheme which has been undertaken by Sir Brendan Barber with the support of pensions expert Joanne Segars OBE. The report has not made any detailed recommendations but provided, for each option considered, clarity on the impacts on costs, future risks and the value of benefits provided.
There are currently no proposals for changes to TfL’s pension arrangements. TfL will need to consider matters such as affordability, sustainability and fairness in deciding what the next steps might be, if any. TfL’s pension arrangements must be considered in the context of TfL’s overall financial position, wider terms and conditions and ability to recruit and retain employees. Any reform proposed in the future would be subject to consultation with all stakeholders, including staff and trade unions, and would likely require primary legislation.

Cost of Living Hub (3)

Neil Garratt: How will you be ensuring your Cost of Living Hub is reached by those most in need?

The Mayor: The Cost of Living Hub and the support it offers will be promoted to Londoners who need it through a targeted marketing and communications campaign. As far as possible, communications will be targeted at groups of Londoners on low incomes who are more likely to experience financial hardship as a result of rising living costs. The campaign will be supplemented by additional targeted communications amongst the groups of Londoners who are less likely to engage with mainstream or online channels, including through civil society.
The Hub is one part of a wider programme of work to help mitigate the worst effects of the cost of living crisis for Londoners. Other work is being developed to support Londoners with more complex needs, or those who are not served by digital channels, to access in-person or specialist advice and support.

Cost of Living Hub (2)

Neil Garratt: How will you be measuring the success of your Cost of Living Hub? Please provide all KPIs and targets.

The Mayor: The success of the Cost of Living Hub will be measured through number of unique page views achieved.
As this is a new area of work, officers in my Financial Hardship and External Relations teams are working to establish appropriate targets for unique page views of the hub, based on plans for campaign activity and past performance of digital products on London.gov.uk.

Ventilation standards to support public health

Caroline Russell: In your Accelerated Green net zero carbon pathway, there is a focus on improving the energy efficiency of homes and other buildings. London’s buildings suffer from poor indoor air quality, condensation, damp, and ventilation standards that do not adequately reduce the risks of airborne diseases such as coronavirus. What ventilation standards and approaches will you promote to ensure that these issues are fixed by any investments in improving the energy efficiency of London’s buildings?

The Mayor: Correct ventilation is a vital part of making energy efficiency improvements to a home. In my ‘Warmer Homes’ retrofit programme, a whole house assessment is carried out, which has to include consideration of ventilation. The British Standards Institute introduced PAS 2035 in 2021, which are the overarching standards to be met for retrofitting buildings. Through the GLA’s contractors the PAS 2035 regulations, and relevant ventilation standards, are adhered to in all our retrofit programmes. We do not conduct installations of energy efficiency measures that do not meet ventilation standards.
The London Plan outlines ventilation requirements for designing future developments and my Retrofit Accelerator Homes and Workplaces programmes also actively promotes high quality retrofitting. This avoids overheating and unintended consequences, such as a reliance on mechanical cooling or poor indoor air quality. Many projects funded by these programmes include retrofit of the air handling systems, which helps reduce energy demand and improved ventilation in the buildings.

Coronavirus vaccination of children in London

Caroline Russell: Could you provide statistical data on the coronavirus vaccination levels among children of all ages in London? Please provide data by age group in an accessible table format.

The Mayor: Statistical breakdowns of coronavirus vaccination levels for London are publicly available at:
As of 9 May 2022, vaccination rates were as follows:
Age
First dose
Second dose
Booster or third dose
5-11
5.3%
0.1%
-
12-15
41.3%
24.3%
0.2%
16-17
51.8%
36.5%
7.9%
5 to 11-year-olds were invited to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in April 2022 and can get vaccinated at a large number of vaccination centres and community pharmacies across the capital.
COVID-19 vaccination appointments for people of all ages can be booked via the online booking service or by calling 119, and walk ins are also available.
Since COVID-19 vaccinations were rolled out for children and young people, there has been extensive work across London engaging with parents, guardians, families and children and young people themselves to provide information about the COVID-19 vaccine, address any concerns and help parents, guardians and children make an informed decision on vaccination.

Air Filters in London’s Schools

Onkar Sahota: Data that I obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request showed that the Government has only provided 141 London schools with air filters as part of their national scheme. Do you agree that this scheme should now be expanded and relaunched to ensure more London schools can tackle poor air quality and the transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses in the classroom?

The Mayor: To reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Department for Education (DfE) launched a scheme where, for a limited time, certain educational settings could apply for DfE-funded air cleaning units to address COVID-19 by improving ventilation where simple measures such as opening doors and windows were not possible. Last year the Government also trialled air cleaning technologies to assess their efficacy in reducing COVID transmission. I await the results of this research before recommending next steps regarding COVID safety.
Meanwhile, action on air quality in London’s schools is vital. I published a study in 2019 which found that air filtration systems (AFS) can be effective in certain circumstances in reducing PM2.5 and NO2. However, the Government must urgently address the lack of UK design standards, minimum performance requirements or testing criteria for AFS. This will allow schools to make informed choices about the suitability of these devices for their settings.

Metropolitan Police Mental Health Callouts

Onkar Sahota: Over the last five years, the Metropolitan Police has responded to 130,000 mental health related callouts. Whilst blue light collaboration is vital, do you agree that this is a consequence of the Government’s underfunding of the NHS and their failed pledge to give mental health parity of esteem with physical health?

The Mayor: We know that mental health services were already inadequately resourced and struggling to cope with demand prior to the pandemic. Ongoing stressors including the current cost of living crisis will only make this worse, with a knock-on impact on our emergency services. London’s NHS is working with partners including the Metropolitan Police to improve response times and joint approaches to mental health-related call outs.
However, this comes at a time when crucial public services, including mental health, have had their budgets cut by Government. To truly support the NHS, Government must take steps to support the wider system of social care, welfare benefits and support, public health and the VCS. It must invest in local and national policies which promote good mental health and prevent mental health problems from emerging. I will continue to lobby for additional investment to support Londoners and the services that they rely on when it comes to both mental and physical health.

Primary School Places

Onkar Sahota: There is significant variation in the number of children being offered their first preference for primary school. Although the average from all of London is 87.9%, this ranges widely from 94% to 66% by borough.
Given your previous comments on the importance of providing a good school place for every child in London, would you please outline what it is that makes one borough more successful at awarding a first-choice primary school than another?

The Mayor: London has the largest volume of applications to schools nationally and there is a lot of movement across Local Authority boundaries. Some boroughs may not offer as many first preferences to their residents as other Local Authorities do, but they may be providing a high number of first preferences for pupils from surrounding boroughs. For example, a school near the border of two boroughs may admit more students from the neighbouring borough than from their own, which would be reflected in the statistics.
I again would like to stress the importance I place on every child in London having a good school place. There are enough school places to meet overall demand in London and the standard of education is very high, with 93% of schools being rated good or outstanding by Ofsted.

Ealing Council Using ANPR Cameras to Catch Fly-Tippers

Onkar Sahota: Ealing Council is introducing new automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera technology as part of its enforcement against fly-tipping in the borough. The first is in Southall, with one in Northolt next in line.
More than 1,000 reports of fly-tipped rubbish are reported every month in Ealing – about 35 a day. This costs more than a quarter of a million pounds a year to clean up.
Whilst I recognise that you do not have any legal powers in the area, do you agree that this approach could usefully be replicated by other councils?

The Mayor: Fly tipping damages the environment, adversely affects Londoners’ quality of life, has links to organised crime and is a significant drain on council and police resources. In 2021 councils in London spent £2.5 million clearing instances of large-scale fly tipping alone – when taking into account the cost of investigation and enforcement activities the cost is likely to be substantially higher.
I support initiatives that councils can introduce to tackle fly tipping. My London Environment Strategy requires boroughs to produce Reduction and Recycling Plans , many of which include actions they are taking on fly tipping and littering.
I am aware that mobile CCTV cameras have been deployed to assist in enforcement in the boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark and Westminster and that councils have worked alongside the Environment Agency and the Metropolitan Police Service to tackle this issue. I am glad to hear that Ealing Council is trialling new ways to make enforcement more efficient and I will be interested to see the outcome.

Water Fountains (1)

Leonie Cooper: How many water fountains have now been installed, as part of your programme with Thames Water, across London?

The Mayor: To help Londoners ditch single-use plastic bottles and reduce waste, I partnered with Thames Water to install over 100 fountains, across busy areas of London. Although this programme was suspended during the COVID-19 lockdown all previously installed water fountains have now been reopened and new installations have recommenced.
So far, we have installed 93 drinking fountains across 24 boroughs, 80 of which are open to the public, the remainder are yet to pass through water quality approval.
In addition to the drinking fountains I am installing with Thames Water, I installed 28 drinking fountains in a pilot scheme with the Zoological Society of London. I am also working with City to Sea to deliver the Refill London campaign, where people can go into shops and businesses and ask for a free water refill instead of buying one. So far, this campaign has provided over 4,400 refill points across the city, up from approximately 200 when the programme started in March 2018.

ULEZ (2)

Leonie Cooper: How has air quality improved since October 2021 when the ULEZ expanded to the north and south circular roads?

The Mayor: Officers are currently undertaking a detailed analysis of air pollution in London to quantify the changes since the expansion of the ULEZ. The analysis will include information on pollution concentrations and emissions. The results will be published in a ULEZ “6 months on” report in Summer 2022. As of December 2021, 92 per cent of vehicles driving into the zone were compliant with the new standards.

Airspace Development Fund (3)

Sakina Sheikh: What impact will the Airspace Development Fund have on densification across London?

The Mayor: Due to the nature of ‘airspace development’ the Fund is likely to increase density on its funded sites. In line with my London Plan, development must proactively explore the potential to optimise the capacity of land to support additional homes and apply a design–led approach to density.
Please also see Mayor’s Question 2022/1157

National Park City (1)

Leonie Cooper: What initiatives have been undertaken in Merton to promote and improve the National Park City designation?

The Mayor: London was confirmed as the world’s first National Park City in July 2019 in recognition of the ambitious policies and actions I am taking to make London even greener, healthier and wilder..
Since2016, I have invested over £20m in greening London: planting 420,000 trees, improving over 500 hectares of green space, and funding over 350 community projects.
My greening grant programmes have been open to applications from boroughs, charities and community groups. In Merton I have funded five community green space and tree planting projects, including revitalising the garden of a children’s theatre in Wimbledon. I am also working with the National Trust to support the development of a green corridor in Morden through my Green and Resilient Spaces Fund.
I have supported the planting of 6,015 trees in Merton, through schemes including the Urban Tree Challenge Fund, community tree packs and tree giveaways.

Water Fountains (3)

Leonie Cooper: How many water fountains have been installed in Wandsworth, as part of your installation programme?

The Mayor: To help Londoners ditch single-use plastic bottles and reduce plastic waste, I partnered with Thames Water to install over 100 fountains across busy areas of London. Although this programme was suspended during the COVID-19 lockdown all previously installed water fountains have now been reopened and new installations have recommenced.
I invited applications to host a fountain from all Londoners, including London boroughs, other public landowners, private landowners, and leaseholders/managing agents.
Twohave been installed in Wandsworth and are open to the public, at Garratt Park and Southfields Station. Subject to site feasibility, I plan to install four more fountains across Wandsworth.
Four further applications from Wandsworth were withdrawn by the applicant and two were not progressed due to site feasibility.

Water Fountains (2)

Leonie Cooper: How many water fountains have been installed in Merton, as part of your installation programme?

The Mayor: To help Londoners ditch single-use plastic bottles and reduce plastic waste, I partnered with Thames Water to install over 100 fountains across busy areas of London. Although this programme was suspended during the COVID-19 lockdown all previously installed water fountains have now been reopened and new installations have recommenced.
I invited applications to host a fountain from all Londoners, including London boroughs, other public landowners, private landowners, and leaseholders/managing agents. We received five applications for fountains in Merton, and five fountains have been installed at the following locations:
All of these are open to the public except for Morden Tube Station, which is passing through water quality approval.

LFB training to support a multi-agency response to a terrorist attack

Hina Bokhari: Can you confirm the timescales for all firefighters in London to complete higher, level 2, training to enable them to deliver a search and rescue response whilst supporting a multi-agency response to a terrorist attack involving firearms or more sophisticated weaponry?

The Mayor: In April 2022, London Fire Brigade signed a Joint Collective Agreement with the Fire Brigades Union in relation to marauding terrorist attacks (MTA) to ensure that in the event of such an event, firefighters can respond and provide immediate assistance as soon as they arrive at the scene. The Deputy Mayor for Fire and Resilience had previously given approval for the expenditure associated with the agreement and more information can be found here: https://www.london.gov.uk/decisions/dmfd134-marauding-terrorist-attack-collective-agreement. The MTA project is a high priority for the Brigade which will deliver a specialist (Level 2) mass casualty rescue capability on every frontline pumping appliance covering firefighting, rescue and casualty management in London. The training started in April 2022 and is expected to be completed within 24 months with a project end date of March 2024. The project sponsor, manager and board are monitoring the projected timescales to ensure successful delivery.

Buildings where a Common Fire Alarm System has been installed that still require a Waking Watch

Hina Bokhari: Please provide an update on how the LFB is working to capture data on buildings with common fire alarm systems that still have waking watches and how much of an issue this is in London?

The Mayor: London Fire Brigade (LFB) has been collating information on buildings with interim measures for the last five years, including the transition from a waking watch (persons manually detecting a fire and raising the warning) to a common fire alarm with evacuation management recorded within LFB databases. Through this process, no buildings have been identified as having both a waking watch and a common alarm system in place. Even where a common alarm system is in place, there will still normally be personnel onsite to monitor and respond in cases where the alarm system is activated (known as evacuation management). Often this will be individuals who would usually be onsite anyway, for example, a concierge or onsite security. This is in line with the national Simultaneous Evacuation Guidance. However, alternative options are also available to monitor alarm systems aside from personnel onsite, such as remote monitoring centres and the use of CCTV cameras, providing it can be supported by the Responsible Person’s competent fire safety professional.

TfL Pensions Review (4)

Caroline Pidgeon: Do you and TfL accept that almost all the scenarios set out in the Pensions Review will result in a reduction in future service benefits for TfL staff?

The Mayor: On 28 March Transport for London (TfL) received the Final Report from the Independent Review into the TfL Pension Scheme. The report has now been shared with the Government as required by TfL funding agreements.
There are currently no proposals for changes to TfL’s pension arrangements. The report highlights that the impact on a member’s benefits of any given option will depend on several factors, including the precise nature of any changes that may be proposed and that member’s individual circumstances at the time. There would be a need to conduct detailed impact assessments should any option be taken forward, and a need to ensure matters such as intergenerational fairness are addressed. Any reform proposed in the future would be subject to consultation with all stakeholders, including staff and trade unions, and would likely require primary legislation.

Closed Stations

Nicholas Rogers: Please list all stations (both TfL and National Rail) in London which are closed but still structurally present. For each station please note when it was closed.

The Mayor: The following London Underground stations are closed but still structurally present (the year of closure is in brackets):
Aldwych (1994)
Brompton Road (1934)
Down Street (1932)
Marlborough Road (1939)
Osterley Park & Spring Grove (1934)
South Kentish Town (1924)
York Road (1932)
Transport for London is not responsible for National Rail assets and therefore does not hold a list of disused stations owned by Network Rail.

Turing House School Travel Demand

Nicholas Rogers: Following the opening of Turing House School’s new location on Hospital Bridge Road, it is clear that the capacity and frequency of the 481 bus route does not match up to the increased demands being placed on it. Could you please let me know how TfL will rectify this situation and ensure that provision on this route (and the 111) meets the new demands being placed on it?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has monitored usage of buses on routes 111 and 481 serving the re-located school and has liaised with operators to ensure that bus timings better match the school’s new start and finish times. The operator has changed the route 481 timings.
TfL has now secured the release of funding from the Department for Education through a sponsored route agreement with Richmond upon Thames council for an additional route 481 bus service in the morning and afternoon, and this extra service started on 6 May. A subsequent survey has indicated that route 481 capacity is now sufficient to meet demand, though further surveys are planned. TfL believes that there is sufficient capacity on the high frequency route 111, but reliability issues have led to uneven loadings. TfL has raised this issue with the operator.
It will take time for travel patterns to settle down at the new site, so I have asked TfL to continue to keep the use of the service under review. TfL will continue to monitor demand on routes 111 and 481 over the coming weeks.

London Climate Finance Facility (1)

Zack Polanski: When do you expect to set out a prospectus for how your proposed London Climate Finance Facility will work, and will it include both a clear ethical standard and details about how Londoners can use this investment to reduce the impact of high energy costs on their finances?

The Mayor: My proposed Finance Facility is currently in development and forms an integral part of my green finance programme, aimed at mobilising greater levels of private sector investment into climate related projects. My Green Bond, announced earlier this year, forms the first phase of this Finance Facility, with the aim of mobilising more than £500m of finance.

London Climate Finance Facility (2)

Zack Polanski: The January 2022 report you commissioned from Element Energy, Analysis of a Net Zero 2030 Target for Greater London, sets out a need for £75 billion of climate-related investment in London by 2030. What proportion of this funding now has an identified source, and how will you fill any remaining funding gap?

The Mayor: We estimate that it will require £75 billion of infrastructure investment by 2030 to achieve London’s net-zero target. This will need to come from a mix of public and private finance, investment and grant funding. My response to the Element Energy Report notes that a reasonable share of the funding and finance from the UK Government’s existing commitments would equate to £7 billion for London across the decade. Government must empower and fund local authorities to help them meet the Government’s own own targets and realise the economic opportunities from decarbonising the economy.
Even with greater Government commitment, far greater levels of private investment will be needed to achieve London’s ambitions. That is why I committed to establishing a Financing Facility in London to share risk and reward with the private sector and help catalyse greater levels of investment into climate related projects. In November, I committed £30m to my Mayor’s Energy Efficiency Fund to attract another £150m of private sector funding. And in February I announced a further £90m of GLA funding to support the development and delivery of a net zero project pipeline, supporting a £500m Green Bond to finance those initial projects. These will form the first phase of my Financing Facility for London.

Sloane Square Station Escalator Works

Caroline Pidgeon: Please provide an exact date for when the escalator, which has been out of service at Sloane Square station since December 2021, is expected to be repaired and accessible to the public again? What assurances can you provide that the escalator will be completed before the start of RHS Chelsea Flower Show﻿ 2022.

The Mayor: The Sloane Square escalator was returned to service on Thursday 12 May 2022.

Most Unreliable Bus Route in London

Caroline Pidgeon: How does your reply to 2022/0912 equate to your repeated claims in the media that the 108 bus route is the “most unreliable bus in London”? Do you accept that your statements were inaccurate?

The Mayor: In my response to Mayor’s Question 2022/0912, I highlighted the poor performance of route 108 which remains one of the most unreliable routes (within the top 10) out of over 600 routes in London. It was the most unreliable bus in the relevant nearby boroughs in the second half of 2021/22.

Covid-19 Vaccination Uptake

Tony Devenish: Why have you and London Health Partners been unable to reach nearly fifty percent of some of the most deprived communities in London for Covid-19 vaccinations?

The Mayor: I am aware that there is a lot of dangerous misinformation about vaccines and that there are concerns among some people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, which can lead to vaccine hesitancy.
During the first two waves of the pandemic, Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities were disproportionately affected by Covid-19, so I fully understand their concerns. However, vaccines have been a game-changer in our fight against the virus and I continue to encourage all Londoners to get their first, second and booster Covid jab.
Through events like the recent Eid in the Square celebration, as well as through targeted media campaigns, social media and a wide network of community champions, I am working closely with local authorities, UKHSA, OHID, NHS London and communityorganisationsto help reach Londoners, answer their questions and make the vaccine as accessible as possible.
We have made great strides throughout the pandemic to engage with London’s diverse communities, and despite lower levels of vaccine uptake we’re continuing to see people come forward for their vaccine every day. Our work continues.

Housing Associations Rent

Sem Moema: What recent steps have you taken to press housing associations to maintain their rents at social and affordable levels for existing tenants?

The Mayor: Rents set by housing associations are regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing, which in turn is informed by the rent setting regime established the Secretary of State.
To bid for my funding programmes, partners are required to comply with the regulator’s requirements for social and affordable rents. Post completion, the compliance audit process assures that agreed genuinely affordable rents are being adhered to by housing providers.
Furthermore, Policy H8 of my London Plan 2021 stipulates that new affordable housingthat is replacing social rent housing must be provided as social rent housingwhere it is facilitating a right of return for existing tenants.

Affordable homes (6)

Tony Devenish: Further to MQ 2022/0224, could you please confirm if the number of homes each of the G15 housing associations has committed to building, from the 2016-23 Affordable Housing Programme, has been reduced from a previous figure? If so, please outline the reductions for each applicable housing association, along with the dates and reasons for these reductions.

The Mayor: The below table shows G15 providers that have a reduction in homes from the end of September 2021 compared to end of April 2022. Progress against partners’ allocations is closely monitored and LH to their allocations are approved as part of the programme lmanagement process. Partners are operating in a challenging environment and working towards stretching targets as they share the GLA’s ambition to deliver for Londoners. As a result of these conditions, some projects have been delayed beyond the programme deadlines and this is the main reason for adjustments in allocation. The GLA seeks to hold partners to the targets which have been mutually agreed, and through the continuous market engagement route enables replacement projects to come forward.
Provider
Homes
			as at end of Sep-22
Homes
			as at end of Apr-22
Reduction
to homes
A2 Dominion
2,158
2,039
-119
Clarion
5,567
5,367
-200
Notting Hill Genesis
6,781
6,683
-98
Southern Housing Group
1,268
1,241
-27

Council Resources and the Private Rented Sector (2)

Sem Moema: What additional support can the GLA provide to councils to help them deal with complaints in the PRS?

The Mayor: I will continue to support London boroughs through my PRS Partnership. It is instrumental in enabling councils to share information, best practice and to work together in tackling criminality and enforcing standards in the sector. I will also continue to support boroughs to develop their skills and capacity by delivering training on enforcement and regulating the PRS.
In my response to the government’s Levelling Up White paper I will campaign for licensing powers to be devolved to City Hall to enable greater support for council-led enforcement work. I believe greater consistency and transparency would be achieved if City Hall considered and approved new licensing schemes, supporting councils to better enforce standards and respond to complaints.
The commitments in the Queen’s speech on enforcement include a national landlord register, and a new Decent Homes Standard. I will support councils by lobbying government to ensure these work in partnership with existing powers, and that councils are properly resourced to use of them.

Affordable homes (4)

Tony Devenish: Further to MQ 2022/0226, could you please provide the latest figures as to how many homes each of the G15 housing associations has completed from the 2016-23 Affordable Housing Programme?

The Mayor: The below table shows how many homes each of the G15 housing associations have completed from the 2016-23 Affordable Housing Programme.
Data source: GLAOps as at end of April 2022
G15 member
Completions (outturn)
A2 Dominion
266
A2Dominion Homes
266
Catalyst
577
Catalyst Housing Limited
577
Clarion
1,227
Affinity Sutton Homes Limited
10
Clarion Housing
365
Clarion Housing Group
852
Hyde
913
Hyde Housing Association Limited
913
L&Q
4,355
London & Quadrant Housing (L&Q)
4,355
Metropolitan Thames Valley
798
Metropolitan Housing Trust Limited
437
Thames Valley Housing Association Limited
361
Network Homes
687
Network Homes Limited
687
Notting Hill Genesis
3,373
Notting Hill Genesis
3,373
One Housing
546
One Housing Group Limited
546
Optivo
1,069
Optivo
1,069
Peabody
1,613
Peabody Trust
1,613
Southern Housing Group
299
Southern Housing Group Limited
299
Grand Total
15,723

Step Free Access at Harrow on the Hill Station

Krupesh Hirani: I welcome the installation of the new lifts at Harrow on the Hill station. The lifts have already had a very positive impact on people and businesses in the area. However, the station entrance on the Station Approach side (off Lowlands Road) remains inaccessible for people. Are there any plans to also make this entrance to the tube station step free?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) investigated a property development scheme that would use TfL’s car park to deliver new homes and also make the south entrance of Harrow on the Hill station step-free. This particular project was unviable, and TfL is now working with other landowners and the borough to understand what development could take place here, with an aspiration to also complete step-free access at the south entrance of the station.

Affordable homes (2)

Tony Devenish: Further to MQ 2022/0224, could you please provide the latest figures as to how many homes each of the G15 housing associations has committed to building from the 2016-23 Affordable Housing Programme?

The Mayor: The below table shows how many homes each of the G15 housing associations have committed to build via the 2016-23 Affordable Housing Programme. It is essential to note that we are operating in incredibly challenging market conditions, so the figures provided here are under review and are subject to change.
Data source: GLAOps as at end of April 2022
G15 member
Homes
A2 Dominion
2,039
A2Dominion Homes
2,039
Catalyst
2,352
Catalyst Housing Limited
2,352
Clarion
5,367
Affinity Sutton Homes Limited
10
Clarion Housing
606
Clarion Housing Group
4,751
Hyde
2,798
Hyde Housing Association Limited
2,798
L&Q
12,392
London & Quadrant Housing (L&Q)
12,392
Metropolitan Thames Valley
2,130
Metropolitan Housing Trust Limited
1,712
Thames Valley Housing Association Limited
418
Network Homes
2,576
Network Homes Limited
2,576
Notting Hill Genesis
6,683
Notting Hill Genesis
6,683
One Housing
1,868
One Housing Group Limited
1,868
Optivo
3,713
Optivo
3,713
Peabody
7,022
Peabody Trust
7,022
Southern Housing Group
1,241
Southern Housing Group Limited
1,241
Grand Total
50,181

Compulsory Purchase of Empty Homes (1)

Sem Moema: What support can you give to councils to help them compulsory purchase homes that have been long term empty?

The Mayor: Bringing empty homes back into use would make more homes available for Londoners and may contribute to improving affordability, although the number of additional homes needed to tackle the housing crisis is vastly greater than the number of long-term empty homes.
I continue to support reversing the coalition government’s changes to Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMO) so properties vacant for six months instead of two years can be issued with EDMOs. I support further increasing powers of local authorities over empty homes to discourage purchasers from buying properties in London with no intention of living in them or renting them out.

Housebuilding in Harrow (1)

Krupesh Hirani: How is the Mayor helping Harrow Council continue to deliver Homes for Londoners against rising costs?

The Mayor: I am aware of issues relating to rising construction costs and the impact this is having on affordable housing development in London. My officers are monitoring the situation extremely closely and meeting regularly with partners, including the London Borough of Harrow, to understand what mitigations and support can be put in place to minimise disruption to their affordable housing delivery. Mitigations include allowing more flexibility around the grant payment tranches on projects and agreeing negotiated grant rates for projects being funded through my Affordable Homes Programme.
To help boost the supply of council homes, I launched the Right to Buy-back (RTBB) fund in July 2021 to give London boroughs the funds to purchase former council homes that have been sold into the private market.

Housebuilding in Harrow (2)

Krupesh Hirani: How many of the 11,000 starts on new Council homes in London have been in the London Borough of Harrow?

The Mayor: As of 31st March 2022, of the 12,791 starts on new council homes in London, 186 homes were started in the London Borough of Harrow.

Housebuilding in Brent (1)

Krupesh Hirani: How is the Mayor helping Brent Council continue to deliver Homes for Londoners against rising costs?

The Mayor: I am aware of issues relating to rising construction costs and the impact this is having on affordable housing development in London. My officers are monitoring the situation extremely closely and meeting regularly with partners, including the London Borough of Brent, to understand what mitigations and support can be put in place to minimise disruption to their affordable housing delivery. Mitigations include allowing more flexibility around the grant payment tranches on projects and agreeing negotiated grant rates for projects being funded through my Affordable Homes Programme.
To help boost the supply of council homes, I launched the Right to Buy-back (RTBB) fund in July 2021 to give London boroughs the funds to purchase former council homes that have been sold into the private market.

Children's Care Review

Tony Devenish: Have you or will you meet with Josh MacAlister, the author of the forthcoming review on children’s care, given that you co-convene the London Local Authority Network for Care Leavers? What are the specific implications of his review for London? Please be specific.

The Mayor: As a result of years of austerity and an increase in the number of children in care - exacerbated by Covid-19, there is a significant funding shortfall for London’s social care services. Although I have no statutory responsibility for these services, I welcome the review of children’s social care and envisage that the implications for London will be similar to the rest of the country. We need to ensure that we have a care system that protects and supports vulnerable children and their families and is adequately resourced and funded. The London Local Authority Network for Care Leavers helps to improve outcomes for care leavers by sharing good practice and opportunities across London boroughs.
Whilst I have not met with Josh MacAlister, my Deputy Mayor, Joanne McCartney, would welcome the opportunity to meet once the review is published to discuss the implications of the review for London, and update him on the work of the London Local Authority Network for Care Leavers and development of the pan-London offer to improve outcomes for care leavers.

Tax Increment Financing (2)

Sakina Sheikh: How many homes have been constructed through Tax Increment Financing in London? How many of these have been affordable?

The Mayor: I do not hold data on how many homes have been constructed in London through Tax Increment Financing.

Family-sized housing

Tony Devenish: The Just Space Recovery Plan states that “Family-sized housing must be prioritised in all new public housing developments.” What requirements are you setting for affordable housing providers, through your Affordable Homes Programme, to ensure that this takes place?

The Mayor: My Affordable Homes Programme does not seek to impose size mix targets on councils or other affordable housing providers. My London Plan introduces a new requirement for local authorities to set out guidance on the size mix of social housing on the basis of local evidence of need. The increased flexibility on grant rates in the 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme will make it easier for providers to respond to this guidance.

Missing children

Shaun Bailey: For each financial year 2018/19, 2019/20 2020/21 and 2021/22 how many children were reported missing in London, to the Met Police, broken down by age, gender and ethnicity?

The Mayor: The MPS have provided the information as per the attached spreadsheet. Please ensure that the notes page is read in conjunction with the information to aid in interpretation. Please note that the data covers missing individuals not missing incidents per year.

The Mayor: 1662_Missing children_v2 (1).xlsx

Skills Academies (1)

Len Duvall: What strategic work has taken place to identify sectors where there are significant skills gaps in London? Which sectors have been identified?

The Mayor: The London Recovery Board brings together leaders from government, business and civil society to oversee London’s recovery from the pandemic.
The London Recovery Board outlined five priority sectors (creative, digital, green, health and social care) for the Mayor’s Academies Programme to focus on and hospitality was later added due to the challenges faced following the lifting of COVID restrictions. Our analysis identified that these sectors face some/all of the following challenges:
• high vacancy rates
• skills shortages
• skills provision that does not consistently meet employer need, or is not accessible
• lack of workforce diversity/barriers to entry for specific groups
• negative ‘image’ of the sector or lack of awareness among potential applicants.

Central Activities Zone Article 4 Direction

Sakina Sheikh: What impact would unregulated Permitted Development Rights have on the Central Activities Zone?

The Mayor: I welcome the measures confirmed in the Queen’s Speech and my housing team will be scrutinising the forthcoming white paper on reforming the private rented sector to ensure these will be brought forward in a way that works for Londoners. Ending no fault evictions will reduce homelessness, minimise unwanted, repeated moves and ensure tenants can demand better standards and conditions without fear of a retaliatory eviction. It is vital that the Government’s proposals do not contain loopholes that unscrupulous landlords could use, and I will scrutinise the legislation closely. A new Ombudsman also will help landlords to better fulfil their responsibilities and mean that where things go wrong, renters have a clear and accessible and pathway through which to seek mediation and redress.
Since the publication of my London Model, I have kept up the pressure on government to make good on its promise. Renters in and beyond London have waited for far too long to live in safe, secure and decent rental homes. It is high time that the essential generational change needed to achieve a thriving and sustainable sector is delivered. I now urge government to quickly set forth a timetable for publication of a white paper and the Renters’ Reform Bill.

Helicopters 1

Tony Devenish: What is the Met doing to reduce helicopter use and noise over London?

The Mayor: The MPS recognise that helicopters can cause disturbance to local communities, and they do work to minimise this. Police helicopters in London are run through a national police collaboration, the National Police Air Service (NPAS). It is recognised that the fleet is aging and there are plans in place to replace existing helicopters with new ones. London should be the first place to benefit from these new aircraft, which should be servicing London within the next two years. These new helicopters will be quieter and more fuel efficient than the existing fleet, which will reduce the disturbance caused.

Helicopters 4

Tony Devenish: What are you doing to reduce police helicopter noise over London?

The Mayor: Further to my response to Mayor’s Question 2022/1703, and as stated in my responses to Mayor’s Questions 2021/2192 and 2021/3986, the regulations governing helicopter flights over London are too weak but remain the responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Government. We have previously raised our concerns, including through relevant consultations, and will continue to press on this troubling issue.

60+ Freedom Pass

Len Duvall: Other than via email, what forms of communication are used to ensure that users are aware of the need to annually provide proof of residence and pay the admin charge for TfL’s 60+ Freedom Pass scheme?

The Mayor: Information on the yearly address check and fee is clearly set out on Transport for London’s (TfL) website, as part of the general information about the 60+ London Oyster concession. It is also mentioned in the Terms and Conditions, which all applicants are required to read and confirm that they have done so as part of the application process.
Six weeks in advance, TfL contacts each customer inviting them to complete the process via their online account. Where necessary a reminder email is sent and then a third email is sent advising that their card will be stopped if no action is taken.

Strong Early Years London

Marina Ahmad: Can you provide an update on the Strong Early Years London programme, and include how many providers were supported by the end of March 2022 through its universal support offer?

The Mayor: My Strong Early Years London programme, designed to provide business support to London’s early years sector as it emerged from the pandemic, ran from June 2021 until the end of March of this year. It offered a range of support from webinars and local surgeries to bespoke one-to-one support for the most at risk early years providers. These offers were accessed by over 1300 nurseries and childminders. Through Strong Early Years London, we also created and launched an online one-stop-shop for early years business support, which attracted over 1700 unique page views. Recorded webinars created through the programme have also been viewed over 2000 times on YouTube.
Nurseries and childminders can still access resources for free through the one-stop-shop. In fact, I have invested a further £30,000 this year to ensure that this resource becomes a sustainable legacy of the programme.

Economic Recovery Implementation Plan (2)

Elly Baker: For the “Transport Foundation – Public Transport” section of the Plan can you provide an update on A) the current levels of public transport use compared to before the pandemic? B) what enhanced COVID-19 safety measures TfL are currently implementing? And C) how TfL are enabling travel at quieter times?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TFL) is seeing a gradual recover in ridership levels on public transport. For the week ending 6 May, Tube demand was at 77 per cent of pre pandemic levels, bus demand at 78-80 per cent of pre pandemic. It is howeverstill too early to definitively project what demand patterns may look like over the medium term, although Transport for London’s (TfL) scenarios provide a ‘Hybrid Forecast’ (see Travel in London report 14 for further details).
The safety of its customers and staff is TfL’s top priority, and since the start of the pandemic it has taken a wide range of measures toensure that its customers can travel safely and confidently on its services. This has included an enhanced cleaning regime, improved ventilation, and the requirement to wear a face covering as a condition of carriage, both before and after this was a legal requirement. Following the removal of remaining Covid mitigations by Government on 24 February, TfL reviewed the remaining controls that it had in place and has developed a flexible plan for use going forward that allows it to continue to deliver safe, reliable and secure services, in line with existing and future Government Covid-19 rules and guidance. Full details of the Covid-related safety measures that TfL has in place can be found on its website here.
TfL enables travel at quieter times through the provision of targeted information and tools for customers and employers. Near real time quieter times information for Tube stations, and historic information for Rail stations, is available on the TfL Go app and on our station web pages. This information is supported by a variety of customer-facing communications. TfL also works with employers that generate significant demand to enable their employees and customers to travel at quieter times, e.g., by staggering shift times or providing targeted information on quieter times to travel.

Economic Recovery Implementation Plan (1)

Elly Baker: Can you outline TfL’s role in the London CleanTech Partnership?

The Mayor: The London CleanTech Partnership is a multi-agency collaboration that aims to bring together London's cleantech sector and support its growth.As a founding member, Transport for London (TfL) representatives have helped to shape its purpose and direction. TfL regularly shares some of its innovation challenges, supports other partner innovation programmes and uses this forum to engage with start-ups and other innovators in the wider London CleanTech ecosystem. Looking ahead, TfL is looking forward to working with the CleanTech partners to help deliver our environmental goals.

Skills Academies (4)

Len Duvall: How many Londoners have been enrolled in the skills academies to date? Please provide a year by year breakdown since the skills academies were implemented.

The Mayor: The Mayor’s Academies Programme (MAP) is designed to help address skills shortages in sectors key to London’s recovery (creative, digital, green, health, social care and hospitality) and support Londoners most affected by the pandemic into good work. The hubs moved into grant in Q4 2021/22 and are in the process of recruiting key staff and starting delivery. The first reporting point will be after the end of Q1 2022/23 by which point we anticipate all hubs will be fully operational.

National Park City (2)

Leonie Cooper: What initiatives have been undertaken in Wandsworth to promote and improve the National Park City designation?

The Mayor: London was confirmed as the world’s first National Park City in July 2019 in recognition of the ambitious policies and actions I am taking to make London even greener, healthier and wilder
Since 2016 I have invested over £20m in greening London: planting 420,000 trees, improving over 500 hectares of green space, and funding over 350 community projects
My greening grant programmes have been open to applications from boroughs, charities and community groups. In Wandsworth I have funded seven community green space and tree planting projects, including projects to green school grounds and create habitat for wildlife in Tooting and Balham and to create a forest garden with local residents in Nine Elms. I am also supporting biodiversity improvements at King George’s Park through my Rewild London grants.
I have supported the planting of 3,719 trees in Wandsworth, through schemes including the Urban Tree Challenge Fund, community tree packs and tree giveaways.

Revenue-Funded Hub Partnerships (Skills) 1

Len Duvall: Were the hubs launched in January as planned? If not when are they expected to be launched and what is in place to ensure there is no further delay to them?

The Mayor: The Mayor’s Academies Programme (MAP) is designed to help address skills shortages in sectors key to London’s recovery (creative, digital, green, health, social care and hospitality) and to support Londoners most affected by the pandemic into good work. The creative, digital, health, hospitality and green hubs were launched by the Mayor on 31 January 2022. Subsequently, 22 hubs progressed into grant in Q4 2021/22. A second round of hub funding, focussing on social care will be launched in early summer and go live in the autumn. To date there have been no delays to planned delivery.

Recycling

Tony Devenish: Can you set out how you will engage with new council administrations regarding improving recycling rates in London?

The Mayor: I aim to meet with the leaders from all new council administrations to outline my policy priorities for London. This will include how essential it is to seek to improve recycling rates as part of my aim for London to become a zero-waste city and one that is net zero carbon by 2030.
A key focus will be to introduce a borough-wide food waste collection service. A number of new administrations were elected on manifesto commitments to introduce a food waste service. I will emphasise the importance of rolling it out promptly including using the process of retendering borough waste services contracts as a perfect opportunity to do this.

Protection against flooding

Tony Devenish: Are you engaging with local authorities on how they plan to use the recent funding from Government to help protect against flooding?

The Mayor: It remains challenging for local authorities to access Government flood defence funding for surface water schemes (see MQ 2021/4206). This is because there is often insufficient funding, resource and capacity within local authorities’ flood risk departments to apply for, and develop the evidence needed to secure funding for small surface water schemes.
My officers work with local authorities to aid in accessing and using Government funding, as well as identifying other funds to deliver surface water schemes, including my own Green New Deal programmes (see MQs 2021/4210 and 2021/0002). My flooding Roundtable is bringing together key partners to help improve governance and develop a London wide vision, strategy and implementation plan for surface water flood management. It will set out what measures are needed, including the costs, to better manage the risk in future.
I continue to lobby government to provide greater resources for flood protection including surface water flooding.

Compulsory Purchase of Empty Homes (2)

Sem Moema: Do you believe that Government should empower councils to make it easier for them to compulsory purchase empty homes to bring them back into use?

The Mayor: Yes. Government should adequately resource councils to support the greater use of Compulsory Purchase Order powers (CPOs). The greatest prize will be obtained through ambitious land assembly to build more affordable homes, but councils also need the tools to explore opportunities that arise from the acquisition of empty homes. The government also needs to ensure fair land compensation close to existing use value and streamline and quicken the CPO process.

T Levels (1)

Tony Devenish: How are you working with partners across London to boost the uptake and success of T Levels?

The Mayor: My new Careers Hubs are working with schools and colleges across London to improve understanding of T levels with the aim of increasing their uptake in the capital. This includes information webinars for career leaders and teachers, information for parents, and roundtables between employers and colleges.
Whilst I have no direct jurisdiction over T levels - which sits with the Department for Education - in terms of the wider skills landscape, the Local Skills Report for London is published annually by the Skills for Londoners Board (London’s Skills Advisory Panel) and provides London-wide stakeholders with a holistic view of learning and employer demand in the capital. The latest version of the Local Skills Report was published in March 2022 and highlights that London’s employers have significant requirements for higher level skills to maintain London’s position as a high-skilled economy and labour market.

T Levels (2)

Tony Devenish: How many education providers in London offer T Levels? Please provide actual figure and percentage.

The Mayor: As the funding of T-levels is not within City Hall’s remit, the GLA does not hold its own data pertaining to this specific qualification. Data hosted on gov.uk indicates that there are 78 providers in London offering some of the eleven T-level routes; these include schools, sixth form colleges, academies, UTCs, independent training providers and further education colleges, representing 17.3% of the 449 providers delivering the qualifications nationally.

Future of the Royal Docks (2)

Sakina Sheikh: How has the arrival of City Hall at the Royal Docks helped to regenerate the area so far?

The Mayor: TheGLA’s move to a new City Hall in the Royal Docks will accelerate the comprehensive regeneration programme that is already underway, andwhich is set to lead to 30,000 new homes and the creation of 41,500 new jobs within the next 20 years. Immediate impacts include new jobs and supply opportunities that have been created as a direct result of converting the Crystal building; we’re also seeing increased footfall and spend in the local area, which is supporting local businesses and contributing to the local economy. We also know that our relocation has signalled a real vote of confidence in the area, which is galvanising our private sector partners as well as raising the profile of the area and helping to attract inward investment. It’s clear the relocation is already acting as a springboard for the regeneration of the Royal Docks, just as the opening of the previous City Hall did for its London Bridge surroundings – and it will continue to do so, while saving Londoners tens of millions of pounds.

Future of the Royal Docks (1)

Sakina Sheikh: What plans are there to enhance the Royal Docks so that it becomes a destination for both tourists and Londoners alike?

The Mayor: In 2018, I approved an ambitious £314m programme to help accelerate the regeneration of the Royal Docks and transform it into a dynamic new destination for London. The Royal Docks 10-Year Plan sets out in detail what we are doing to unlock the full potential of the area, including significant investment in new homes and jobs, transport, the public realm, as well as a world-class cultural programme that is already drawing tens of thousands of new visitors to the area. Huge strides have been achieved since 2018, and I remain committed to working with the London Borough of Newham and local stakeholders, such as ExCeL (who are about to start work on an ambitious expansion programme so they can continue to attract world leading events and millions of visitors to the area, each year) so that the Royal Docks can continue to play a key role in London’s economy - bringing a wealth of new opportunities to the area and its communities. The recent announcement that the Elizabeth line will open on May 24th will also undoubtedly be a game-changer as it will cut journey times to the Royal Docks by up to two thirds, with central London just 12 minutes away.

Wise Age

Tony Devenish: How are you working with Wise Age to promote the benefits of employers hiring older workers and having an age diverse staff across London?

The Mayor: Older Londoners are a key target group of my Skills Roadmap for London, and I welcomed engagement from Wise Age on the development of this last year as members of my Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Board. Older Londoners are a key target group of my London-wide Jobs and Skills marketing campaign, which aims to encourage participation in adult education. My officers recently engaged with Wise Age on this campaign and other relevant aspects of the Good Work recovery mission at the London Age Friendly Forum on 22 March. This includes the Adult Education Budget, Mayor’s Academies Programme and No Wrong Door (two of the four subregional integration hubs that form part of the No Wrong Door initiative have a focus on supporting older Londoners). We will continue to work with Wise Age and other relevant organisations on these programmes, to support older Londoners into employment across London.

Waking Watch Relief Fund

Anne Clarke: How many grants have been made from this fund to date? Please provide a breakdown since the funds began, showing the size of grant and date of grant award.

The Mayor: As at 12 May 2022, 83 grant payments have been authorised from the Waking Watch Relief Fund totalling £7,650,113.
Waking Watch Relief Fund
Payment amount (£)
Date of authorisation
£277,888
25/08/2021
£17,040
10/09/2021
£82,368
10/09/2021
£68,782
22/09/2021
£103,040
24/09/2021
£82,658
24/09/2021
£37,883
24/09/2021
£25,328
04/10/2021
£124,399
11/10/2021
£50,890
19/10/2021
£118,103
21/10/2021
£327,600
22/10/2021
£161,280
27/10/2021
£201,462
28/10/2021
£111,240
01/11/2021
£99,836
01/11/2021
£68,577
03/11/2021
£291,301
03/11/2021
£39,294
03/11/2021
£133,527
04/11/2021
£20,665
04/11/2021
£145,718
08/11/2021
£103,631
09/11/2021
£69,600
10/11/2021
£143,040
15/11/2021
£27,810
18/11/2021
£45,665
25/11/2021
£121,125
25/11/2021
£67,547
07/12/2021
£153,335
07/12/2021
£25,760
08/12/2021
£20,592
08/12/2021
£38,334
08/12/2021
£115,425
09/12/2021
£90,058
09/12/2021
£81,949
09/12/2021
£91,096
09/12/2021
£73,901
09/12/2021
£129,003
10/12/2021
£83,717
10/12/2021
£9,471
13/12/2021
£134,330
15/12/2021
£44,062
15/12/2021
£97,875
16/12/2021
£119,100
17/12/2021
£80,651
17/12/2021
£47,769
17/12/2021
£361,219
17/12/2021
£28,857
21/12/2021
£28,702
21/12/2021
£20,487
21/12/2021
£22,775
21/12/2021
£18,476
21/12/2021
£6,332
23/12/2021
£98,031
06/01/2022
£143,023
11/01/2022
£65,815
11/01/2022
£67,547
12/01/2022
£53,692
12/01/2022
£151,366
13/01/2022
£53,692
17/01/2022
£114,848
26/01/2022
£90,312
01/02/2022
£56,843
01/02/2022
£56,541
01/02/2022
£11,016
02/02/2022
£46,872
04/02/2022
£165,288
09/02/2022
£50,365
16/02/2022
£40,320
01/03/2022
£22,680
04/03/2022
£36,360
04/03/2022
£128,761
04/03/2022
£309,845
08/03/2022
-£820*
09/03/2022
£140,008
09/03/2022
£146,909
15/03/2022
£55,707
23/03/2022
£30,282
23/03/2022
£33,583
28/03/2022
£99,728
12/04/2022
£169,810
13/04/2022
£121,116
26/04/2022
* This funding has been reclaimed from the applicant concerned, as the costs of the fire alarm installation were £820 lower that the original quote.

Social and Private Sector ACM Cladding Remediation Fund

Anne Clarke: How many grants have been made from these funds to date? Please provide a breakdown since the funds began, showing the size of grant; social or private residential; and month of grant award.

The Mayor: As of 12 May 2022, 102 grant payments have been made from the Social Sector ACM Cladding Remediation Fund. In total, £181,634,306 has been paid out to date. It should be noted that grant is paid in two tranches for this programme – 80 per cent and 20 per cent.
As of 12 May 2022, 228 grant payments have been made from the Private Sector ACM Cladding Remediation Fund. In total, £68,735,885 has been paid out to date. It should be noted that most buildings under this programme follow a monthly payment structure.
Please see table below for a breakdown of grant paid.
Social Sector ACM Cladding Remediation Fund
Payment amount (£)
Date of authorisation
277,842.00
Jan 29, 2019
1,967,170.00
Feb 8, 2019
7,610,557.00
Feb 14, 2019
5,556,092.00
Feb 14, 2019
1,265,600.00
Feb 25, 2019
1,533,820.00
Mar 15, 2019
663,718.00
Mar 15, 2019
663,718.00
Mar 15, 2019
13,091,657.00
Mar 18, 2019
1,794,918.00
Mar 28, 2019
324,543.00
Mar 28, 2019
633,606.00
Mar 29, 2019
276,242.00
May 10, 2019
3,028,886.00
Apr 18, 2019
359,650.00
May 29, 2019
678,305.00
May 8, 2019
513,030.00
May 8, 2019
785,957.00
May 15, 2019
1,841,562.00
Jun 7, 2019
844,872.00
Dec 20, 2019
1,124,949.00
Dec 19, 2019
4,847,856.00
Dec 18, 2019
89,912.00
Dec 13, 2019
826,553.00
Nov 27, 2019
2,046,413.00
Nov 12, 2019
242,894.00
Nov 7, 2019
332,181.00
Nov 1, 2019
332,181.00
Nov 1, 2019
8,985,065.00
Oct 29, 2019
332,181.00
Oct 16, 2019
1,328,722.00
Oct 16, 2019
1,328,722.00
Oct 15, 2019
1,328,722.00
Oct 15, 2019
141,837.00
Oct 9, 2019
2,399,994.00
Oct 4, 2019
2,399,994.00
Oct 4, 2019
2,399,993.00
Oct 4, 2019
388,993.00
Oct 1, 2019
266,266.00
Mar 11, 2020
4,740,146.00
Mar 6, 2020
826,553.00
Mar 5, 2020
837,066.00
Feb 5, 2020
826,553.00
Feb 5, 2020
505,514.00
Jan 23, 2020
730,991.00
Jan 23, 2020
128,258.00
Jan 23, 2020
1,944,327.00
Aug 14, 2019
2,619,090.00
Jul 5, 2019
567,350.00
Jul 5, 2019
1,378,865.00
Jul 18, 2019
93,584.00
Jul 18, 2019
491,793.00
Jul 19, 2019
382,284.00
Apr 23, 2020
85,525.00
Jun 3, 2020
328,221.00
Jun 3, 2020
308,583.00
Jun 8, 2020
1,726,003.00
Sep 30, 2020
84,634.00
Sep 23, 2020
393,546.00
Sep 8, 2020
987,501.00
Aug 18, 2020
1,010,044.00
Aug 18, 2020
10,169.00
Aug 6, 2020
45,618.00
Jul 23, 2020
2,294,445.00
Jul 2, 2020
580,576.00
Dec 23, 2020
517,709.00
Dec 23, 2020
2,380,000.00
Feb 16, 2021
1,002,458.00
Mar 10, 2021
155,089.00
Mar 24, 2021
588,396.00
Mar 26, 2021
144,044.00
Mar 26, 2021
3,588,224.00
Mar 30, 2021
165,930.00
Mar 30, 2021
383,455.00
Mar 30, 2021
165,930.00
Mar 30, 2021
103,440.00
Apr 15, 2021
588,396.00
Apr 28, 2021
144,044.00
Apr 28, 2021
459,841.00
Jun 18, 2021
8,657,574.00
Sep 10, 2021
356,052.00
Sep 30, 2021
316,403.00
Sep 20, 2021
145,406.00
Nov 17, 2021
163,527.00
Nov 17, 2021
2,185,646.00
Dec 16, 2021
1,731,448.00
Dec 16, 2021
893,187.00
Dec 21, 2021
211,218.00
Feb 4, 2022
206,638.00
Feb 4, 2022
206,638.00
Feb 4, 2022
206,638.00
Feb 4, 2022
244,318.00
Mar 11, 2022
347,598.00
Mar 12, 2022
426,712.00
Mar 12, 2022
1,933,417.00
Mar 12, 2022
12,739,389.00
Mar 17, 2022
13,112,546.00
Mar 17, 2022
13,326,775.00
Mar 17, 2022
14,004,582.00
Mar 17, 2022
420,935.00
May 7, 2022
558,790.00
May 7, 2022
69,501.00
May 12, 2022
Private Sector ACM Cladding Remediation Fund
Payment amount (£)
Date of authorisation
49,496.00
Feb 3, 2020
200,631.00
Apr 14, 2020
25,104.00
Apr 16, 2020
211,821.00
May 22, 2020
60,000.00
Jun 24, 2020
409,384.00
Jul 1, 2020
12,563.00
Jul 3, 2020
209,382.00
Jul 3, 2020
160,000.00
Jul 16, 2020
19,000.00
Jul 20, 2020
274,822.00
Jul 27, 2020
202,574.00
Aug 26, 2020
141,400.00
Sep 15, 2020
194,841.00
Sep 28, 2020
87,973.00
Oct 27, 2020
313,654.00
Oct 28, 2020
606,704.00
Nov 11, 2020
429,000.00
Nov 11, 2020
154,978.00
Nov 27, 2020
140,530.00
Dec 11, 2020
429,780.00
Dec 17, 2020
119,920.00
Dec 21, 2020
393,143.00
Dec 23, 2020
400,000.00
Jan 6, 2021
773,872.00
Jan 6, 2021
78,004.00
Jan 7, 2021
48,717.00
Jan 19, 2021
569,928.00
Jan 20, 2021
76,721.00
Feb 2, 2021
16,645.00
Feb 5, 2021
42,364.00
Feb 10, 2021
50,122.00
Feb 11, 2021
296,996.00
Feb 11, 2021
104,911.00
Feb 12, 2021
491,348.00
Feb 18, 2021
181,811.00
Feb 18, 2021
71,731.00
Feb 23, 2021
128,737.00
Feb 25, 2021
28,061.00
Mar 2, 2021
119,802.00
Mar 19, 2021
229,933.00
Mar 19, 2021
110,557.00
Mar 19, 2021
113,315.00
Mar 23, 2021
57,718.00
Mar 24, 2021
486,220.00
Mar 26, 2021
408,133.00
Mar 30, 2021
411,243.00
Mar 30, 2021
238,772.00
Apr 9, 2021
87,823.00
Apr 21, 2021
524,280.00
Apr 22, 2021
49,061.00
Apr 26, 2021
37,477.00
Apr 28, 2021
147,108.00
Apr 29, 2021
195,903.00
May 5, 2021
171,394.00
May 6, 2021
57,800.00
May 6, 2021
439,000.00
May 10, 2021
160,957.00
May 12, 2021
3,054,706.00
May 14, 2021
234,719.00
May 20, 2021
640,155.00
May 20, 2021
45,100.00
May 20, 2021
270,742.00
May 21, 2021
55,400.00
May 24, 2021
160,189.00
May 26, 2021
109,596.00
Jun 3, 2021
29,142.00
Jun 3, 2021
151,808.00
Jun 3, 2021
104,057.00
Jun 8, 2021
242,312.00
Jun 10, 2021
217,896.00
Jun 10, 2021
214,509.00
Jun 15, 2021
540,752.00
Jun 15, 2021
187,336.00
Jun 17, 2021
184,050.00
Jun 21, 2021
88,000.00
Jun 21, 2021
971,835.00
Jun 23, 2021
36,540.00
Jun 23, 2021
295,500.00
Jun 23, 2021
189,704.00
Jun 23, 2021
280,000.00
Jun 23, 2021
103,889.00
Jun 25, 2021
173,869.00
Jul 8, 2021
29,443.00
Jul 8, 2021
156,612.00
Jul 14, 2021
250,560.00
Jul 19, 2021
557,934.00
Jul 21, 2021
112,461.00
Jul 21, 2021
99,144.00
Jul 21, 2021
104,251.00
Jul 21, 2021
301,750.00
Jul 21, 2021
51,411.00
Jul 21, 2021
74,093.00
Jul 21, 2021
52,045.00
Jul 21, 2021
47,339.00
Jul 21, 2021
200,939.00
Jul 22, 2021
76,445.00
Jul 22, 2021
268,384.00
Jul 23, 2021
225,152.00
Jul 23, 2021
98,336.00
Jul 29, 2021
157,345.00
Aug 2, 2021
39,042.00
Aug 9, 2021
118,254.00
Aug 9, 2021
44,340.00
Aug 19, 2021
1,478,152.00
Aug 20, 2021
504,627.00
Aug 20, 2021
625,538.00
Aug 24, 2021
1,007,969.00
Aug 24, 2021
104,896.00
Aug 26, 2021
316,107.00
Aug 27, 2021
53,697.00
Sep 3, 2021
103,114.00
Sep 7, 2021
79,367.00
Sep 8, 2021
348,000.00
Sep 10, 2021
118,574.00
Sep 15, 2021
326,796.00
Sep 15, 2021
28,035.00
Sep 17, 2021
631,964.00
Sep 17, 2021
496,415.00
Sep 24, 2021
372,572.00
Sep 27, 2021
59,827.00
Sep 27, 2021
538,554.00
Sep 27, 2021
65,955.00
Sep 27, 2021
1,425,239.00
Oct 12, 2021
598,835.00
Oct 12, 2021
457,867.00
Oct 13, 2021
33,954.00
Oct 13, 2021
90,905.00
Oct 13, 2021
231,154.00
Oct 14, 2021
292,717.00
Oct 26, 2021
473,140.00
Oct 26, 2021
98,446.00
Oct 28, 2021
296,609.00
Oct 29, 2021
3,726,434.00
Nov 2, 2021
66,911.00
Nov 8, 2021
893,811.00
Nov 11, 2021
55,221.00
Nov 17, 2021
140,578.00
Nov 18, 2021
245,888.00
Nov 23, 2021
226,637.00
Nov 25, 2021
1,097,986.00
Nov 25, 2021
48,340.00
Nov 30, 2021
45,442.00
Nov 30, 2021
135,254.00
Dec 2, 2021
363,071.00
Dec 3, 2021
1,759,156.00
Dec 7, 2021
77,037.00
Dec 7, 2021
155,508.00
Dec 10, 2021
24,574.00
Dec 15, 2021
165,379.00
Dec 15, 2021
14,731.00
Dec 16, 2021
25,572.00
Dec 16, 2021
36,958.00
Dec 16, 2021
13,370.00
Dec 16, 2021
14,039.00
Dec 16, 2021
467,265.00
Dec 16, 2021
93,366.00
Dec 17, 2021
239,206.00
Dec 17, 2021
1,035,283.00
Dec 17, 2021
620,348.00
Dec 17, 2021
312,799.00
Dec 17, 2021
19,895.00
Dec 17, 2021
99,609.00
Dec 17, 2021
99,388.00
Dec 17, 2021
48,030.00
Dec 17, 2021
1,234,974.00
Dec 17, 2021
20,800.00
Dec 17, 2021
333,854.00
Dec 17, 2021
201,121.00
Dec 21, 2021
33,157.00
Dec 22, 2021
1,160,204.00
Dec 23, 2021
623,806.00
Jan 11, 2022
135,156.00
Jan 13, 2022
1,060,598.00
Jan 19, 2022
249,545.00
Jan 21, 2022
290,184.00
Jan 25, 2022
324,124.00
Jan 25, 2022
186,435.00
Feb 2, 2022
78,952.00
Feb 2, 2022
175,678.00
Feb 11, 2022
16,133.00
Feb 11, 2022
38,298.00
Feb 11, 2022
47,767.00
Feb 11, 2022
7,117.00
Feb 11, 2022
17,219.00
Feb 11, 2022
60,260.00
Feb 15, 2022
167,426.00
Feb 17, 2022
59,475.00
Feb 18, 2022
407,692.00
Feb 18, 2022
602,647.00
Feb 24, 2022
389,708.00
Feb 24, 2022
143,017.00
Feb 28, 2022
770,726.00
Feb 28, 2022
173,368.00
Mar 4, 2022
1,529,898.00
Mar 7, 2022
172,340.00
Mar 9, 2022
368,783.00
Mar 9, 2022
752,481.00
Mar 10, 2022
25,247.00
Mar 10, 2022
152,083.00
Mar 14, 2022
30,294.00
Mar 14, 2022
155,586.00
Mar 18, 2022
565,757.00
Mar 18, 2022
73,486.00
Mar 22, 2022
570,276.00
Mar 23, 2022
137,462.00
Mar 23, 2022
140,962.00
Mar 23, 2022
72,600.00
Mar 24, 2022
315,166.00
Mar 25, 2022
115,278.00
Mar 28, 2022
1,294,694.00
Mar 30, 2022
258,296.00
Apr 5, 2022
122,071.00
Apr 6, 2022
896,737.00
Apr 14, 2022
191,748.00
Apr 14, 2022
406,845.00
Apr 20, 2022
223,983.00
Apr 20, 2022
600,447.00
Apr 20, 2022
165,235.00
Apr 21, 2022
233,957.00
Apr 22, 2022
1,173,858.00
Apr 22, 2022
112,830.00
Apr 22, 2022
180,562.00
Apr 25, 2022
111,338.00
Apr 25, 2022
473,678.00
May 11, 2022
363,179.00
May 11, 2022
149,255.00
May 11, 2022
63,671.00
May 11, 2022

Waking Watches and London’s Boroughs

Anne Clarke: Please provide a borough-by-borough breakdown of the number of buildings operating waking watches in London. Please also breakdown the numbers for buildings over 18m and under 18m in each borough.

The Mayor: London Fire Brigade (LFB) collects data for buildings with a temporary suspension of ‘stay put’ where an interim simultaneous evacuation strategy has been put in place. This includes, but is not limited to, waking watches, which the National Fire Chiefs Council guidance defines as a system where ‘suitably trained persons continually patrol all floors and the exterior perimeter of the building in order to detect a fire, raise the alarm, and carry out the role of evacuation management’.Residential buildings with an interim simultaneous evacuation strategy in place could have personnel on site or a remote monitoring system, this is determined by the Responsible Person with guidancefroma competent fire safety professional.
The figures can changeon a daily basiswhen interim measures are required, or a building is remediated and no longer requires the interim measures. The number of buildings where an interim simultaneous evacuation strategy has been put in place, asof13th May 2022, are presented by borough and by height in the table below.
Local Authority
Total blocks
Over 18 metres
Under 18 metres
Barking and Dagenham
23
15
8
Barnet
23
16
7
Bexley
3
3
0
Brent
51
33
18
Bromley
4
2
2
Camden
35
30
5
City of London
3
2
1
Croydon
36
21
15
Ealing
20
12
8
Enfield
3
2
1
Greenwich
73
63
10
Hackney
87
69
18
Hammersmith and Fulham
11
9
2
Haringey
18
12
6
Harrow
4
3
1
Havering
14
8
6
Hillingdon
16
10
6
Hounslow
21
15
6
Islington
63
33
30
Kensington and Chelsea
20
11
9
Kingston upon Thames
4
4
0
Lambeth
51
36
15
Lewisham
47
31
16
Merton
4
3
1
Newham
72
67
5
Redbridge
12
10
2
Richmond
1
1
0
Southwark
94
72
22
Sutton
25
7
18
Tower Hamlets
165
153
12
Waltham Forest
24
24
0
Wandsworth
30
25
5
Westminster
43
40
3
Total
1100
842
258

Hadley Highstone bus services

Anne Clarke: Since the removal of the 84 bus between Potters Bar and High Barnet by Hertfordshire County Council, bus services around Hadley Highstone have been severely impacted, and do not operate at all on Sundays. Given TfL’s commitment to deliver bus services to areas of London with low public transport connectivity, what are they doing to deliver better connectivity in Hadley Highstone?

The Mayor: Since the withdrawal of the commercially operated bus route 84, Hadley Highstone is now served solely by route 399 that runs during Monday to Saturday between 1000 and 1500.
Transport for London (TfL) looked into options for providing an additional service, but the usage data on route 84 that used to run throughout the day, seven days a week showed that usage was extremely low at the Hadley Highstone stop and the two either side of it. This means that there is insufficient demand to justify an additional service north of Barnet town centre.
TfL regularly reviews the bus network and will continue to monitor demand in this area.

Building Safety Fund

Anne Clarke: How many grants have been made from this fund to date? Please provide a breakdown since the funds began, showing the size of grant and date of grant award.

The Mayor: As of 10 May 2022, 131 grant payments have been made from the Building Safety Fund totalling £131,511,085.
Please see table below for a breakdown.
Payment amount (£)
Date of authorisation
£167,267.00
15-Oct-20
£515,104.00
09-Dec-20
£571,988.00
07-Jan-21
£219,898.00
11-Jan-21
£1,764,874.00
13-Jan-21
£463,175.00
22-Jan-21
£455,989.00
27-Jan-21
£131,519.00
04-Feb-21
£628,330.00
12-Feb-21
£60,301.00
24-Feb-21
£323,825.00
24-Feb-21
£1,801,940.00
25-Feb-21
£465,657.00
25-Feb-21
£227,348.00
25-Feb-21
£274,178.00
25-Feb-21
£230,728.00
08-Mar-21
£479,823.00
10-Mar-21
£372,809.00
11-Mar-21
£398,934.00
17-Mar-21
£728,716.00
17-Mar-21
£88,023.00
30-Mar-21
£460,607.00
30-Mar-21
£347,273.00
06-Apr-21
£916,157.00
07-Apr-21
£207,214.00
08-Apr-21
£1,105,267.00
08-Apr-21
£944,089.00
14-Apr-21
£720,162.00
14-Apr-21
£235,571.00
16-Apr-21
£2,220,132.00
16-Apr-21
£1,083,674.00
19-Apr-21
£470,328.00
21-Apr-21
£292,957.00
21-Apr-21
£212,888.00
05-May-21
£80,956.00
07-May-21
£1,388,588.00
14-May-21
£1,798,652.00
19-May-21
£157,071.00
19-May-21
£246,495.00
24-May-21
£1,003,815.00
04-Jun-21
£228,782.00
08-Jun-21
£783,091.00
11-Jun-21
£91,918.00
15-Jun-21
£335,660.00
16-Jun-21
£170,400.00
21-Jun-21
£628,113.00
28-Jun-21
£162,337.00
28-Jun-21
£142,199.00
30-Jun-21
£1,132,684.00
08-Jul-21
£110,111.00
15-Jul-21
£375,402.00
23-Jul-21
£393,939.00
23-Jul-21
£267,276.00
27-Jul-21
£497,725.00
28-Jul-21
£495,864.00
28-Jul-21
£215,192.00
28-Jul-21
£472,520.00
28-Jul-21
£425,443.00
28-Jul-21
£100,000.00
04-Aug-21
£311,927.00
10-Aug-21
£314,659.00
11-Aug-21
£279,364.00
12-Aug-21
£1,427,461.00
17-Aug-21
£889,482.00
24-Aug-21
£606,617.00
24-Aug-21
£4,613,623.00
24-Aug-21
£2,369,705.00
15-Sept-21
£558,041.00
15-Sept-21
£288,281.00
20-Sept-21
£154,202.00
20-Sept-21
£1,051,044.00
23-Sept-21
£224,842.00
23-Sept-21
£159,707.00
24-Sept-21
£1,335,694.00
24-Sept-21
£655,880.00
29-Sept-21
£308,483.00
30-Sept-21
£1,458,594.00
30-Sept-21
£195,232.00
07-Oct-21
£407,506.00
11-Oct-21
£1,018,784.00
12-Oct-21
£200,867.00
19-Oct-21
£239,337.00
25-Oct-21
£513,355.00
25-Oct-21
£593,917.00
25-Oct-21
£691,702.00
28-Oct-21
£164,345.00
12-Nov-21
£439,053.00
16-Nov-21
£1,320,246.00
24-Nov-21
£1,575,865.00
30-Nov-21
£185,844.00
16-Dec-21
£1,551,058.00
17-Dec-21
£295,420.00
21-Dec-21
£739,070.00
21-Dec-21
£59,622.00
22-Dec-21
£1,569,995.00
05-Jan-22
£146,749.00
13-Jan-22
£97,038.00
20-Jan-22
£160,000.00
25-Jan-22
£521,530.00
27-Jan-22
£3,642,884.00
27-Jan-22
£86,666.00
28-Jan-22
£80,898.00
28-Jan-22
£7,864,134.00
31-Jan-22
£1,290,314.00
01-Feb-22
£3,702,761.00
04-Feb-22
£243,181.00
08-Feb-22
£35,000.00
09-Feb-22
£422,398.00
10-Feb-22
£5,496,083.00
11-Feb-22
£177,146.00
11-Feb-22
£1,106,062.00
11-Feb-22
£7,325,314.00
14-Feb-22
£1,325,606.00
17-Feb-22
£505,037.00
17-Feb-22
£3,006,012.00
23-Feb-22
£578,823.00
01-Mar-22
£154,053.00
01-Mar-22
£5,167,453.00
08-Mar-22
£285,828.00
08-Mar-22
£4,403,624.00
08-Mar-22
£1,532,694.00
28-Mar-22
£498,783.00
28-Mar-22
£385,473.00
29-Mar-22
£3,201,986.00
30-Mar-22
£225,061.00
30-Mar-22
£5,687,706.00
08-Apr-22
£1,074,558.00
26-Apr-22
£1,524,468.00
26-Apr-22
£3,551,666.00
04-May-22
£292,736.00
04-May-22
£5,651,558.00
04-May-22

The Met’s approach to enforcement of private e-scooter use on public paths and highways

Caroline Pidgeon: Can you clarify the approach the Met is taking to enforcement of private e-scooter use on public paths and highways in London.

The Mayor: The MPS approach to enforcement of private e-scooter use on public paths and highways in London has remained consistent since the introduction of Operation Hornet in 2019. As with other road traffic enforcement, the aim of Operation Hornet is to keep the public safe through proportionate policing. As a high number of users of e-scooters are children and young people who have not previously come to police attention, Operation Hornet involves engagement and education around the illegal use of e-scooters, with enforcement and seizure of e-scooters where there are aggravating factors present, such as anti-social behaviour, excess speed, drink driving or drug driving, or where there is evidence of their use in crime.

Sloane Square Tube Escalator (1)

Tony Devenish: When will the Sloane Square Tube station escalator reopen?

The Mayor: The Sloane Square escalator was returned to service on Thursday 12 May 2022.

Sloane Square Escalator (2)

Tony Devenish: In your opinion is it reasonable that TfL has to wait for months for a spare part for the Sloane Square Tube Station escalator and that it does not have spares in storage ready for usage when required?

The Mayor: The delays here were outside Transport for London’s (TfL’s) control, with a long lead time to procure materials being exacerbated by the supplier moving its business abroad.
TfL is seeking to source an alternative supplier in the UK who can re-engineer and manufacture the parts, which will reduce the time taken to obtain replacement parts in future.

Temporary LTNs

Len Duvall: What lessons have been learnt from the implementation of temporary arrangements relating the Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) across London?

The Mayor: TfL and London’s boroughs will continue to monitor Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) and, where appropriate, conduct further research and evaluation of LTN impacts.
For further details, please see my answer to question 2022/0719.

Right to Buy Back Scheme in Brent

Krupesh Hirani: How many homes has Brent Council bought through your Right to Buy Back scheme so far?

The Mayor: As of 11th May 2022, the London Borough of Brent has bought no homes through my Right to Buy Back Fund.

Hepatitis Rise in Children

Emma Best: How are you working with boroughs and public health partners across London to monitor and mitigate the reported rise in liver inflammation (Hepatitis) in children in London?

The Mayor: I continue to meet regularly withLondon’sseniorNHS andpublic healthleaders from UKHSA and OHID, andreceivecomprehensivebriefings on the health and care system.I am aware of the unusually high number of acute hepatitis cases being seen in children in the past few weeks. This increase in cases has been seen across the world, with at least 20 countries reporting probable cases to the WHO.
The UK Health Security Agency is working with the NHS, a wide range of experts and with public health colleagues across the UK to find the cause as soon as possible. UKHSA is publishing regular updates on the ongoing investigation, including detailed technical reports, and is briefing the borough directors of public health on a regular basis.
Parents, GPs and other healthcare workers have been asked to look out for the symptoms of jaundice as well as other symptoms of hepatitis in children. It is important that parents know the likelihood of their child developing hepatitis is extremely low.

Kerslake Review (1)

Sem Moema: How will the recommendations from the Kerslake Review ensure a joined-up approach to housebuilding across the GLA Group? Will the GLA take over the housebuilding capability of the GLA functional bodies or will it work alongside the existing departments?

The Mayor: The role of my recently appointed Senior Professional Lead will focus on collaboration and consistency of delivery across the GLA Group. This will be facilitated through a new sub-committee of the Homes for Londoners Board which will provide scrutiny and at an operational level, through the GLA Group Collaboration Board. The GLA Group will work collaboratively and there is no intention that the GLA will take on the housebuilding capability of the other functional bodies, but that the existing teams will work together more closely to develop a collaborative professional community across the group. The Senior Professional Lead will develop a culture of ‘peer review’ and identify the professional support necessary to deliver challenging and complex housing schemes.

Childcare Costs

Emma Best: Recent figures have shown that London has the highest childcare costs in Britain. What new action will you be taking to make childcare more affordable for Londoners given your previous comments on the issue?

The Mayor: The cost of childcare and its impact on families is of a great concern to me, particularly with the rising costs of living. As Mayor, I cannot directly influence the cost of childcare in London. That’s why I have continually called on the government to increase funding levels for early years providers.
Through my London Early Years Campaign, I’m raising awareness about the range of existing childcare support offers available to parents. This includes marketing on social media, targeting parents of under 5s directly, plus work to improve awareness amongst family-facing professionals. This week I have also launched a new toolkit, as part of the Good Work Standard, to help employers in London better support working parents to understand what’s available.
I have made sure that childcare offers are included in my new Cost of Living Hub, which contains information about help Londoners can get if they are in financial difficulty.

Maternal Health

Emma Best: What are you doing to improve and promote better maternal health across London?

The Mayor: One of the key aims of my Health Inequalities Strategy focuses on ensuring every London child has a healthy start in life’. Maternal health is supported through my Healthy Early Years London programme which reaches out to new and expectant mothers.
Through the London Recovery Programme and its ‘Healthy Place, Healthy Weight’ mission, I’m supporting the creation of healthier environments for London families, which includes support for breastfeeding. My Mental Health and Wellbeing mission also supports partners’ work on resilience-building for families and training for caregivers.
In addition, I funded a £70k expansion of Good Thinking to offer support for Londoners of all ages.
I meet regularly with London’s NHS leaders to champion and challenge them to provide high quality services for all Londoners including maternal health services. I am also aware of the Government’s recently launched Maternity Disparities Taskforce and will be following this work closely.

The A406 Between the Waterworks and Charlie Brown’s Roundabouts

Emma Best: Please outline the preventative measures that were explored in halting graffiti on the A406 between the Waterworks and Charlie Brown's Roundabouts and the reasons they were considered impracticable?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) contractors clean this location of graffiti every 28 days. Despite this regular removal, graffiti replacement is almost immediate. TfL continues to pursue a long term and permanent solution. It is currently engaging with the London Borough of Redbridge to explore options such as CCTV enforcement, mesh coverings and slats.
Planting measures were previously considered along this route but, on investigation, the reduction of footway width would have meant TfL was not able to meet its accessibility requirements.

GLA Housing Moves Scheme

Siân Berry: I have been contacted by residents with concerns that some of their landlords are failing to provide references through the GLA Housing Move Scheme in a timely manner, resulting in deals falling through. Could you: a) tell me what you are doing to monitor deals, b) tell me what formal agreements there are, and c) if there are formal agreements, could you provide example copies to me illustrating the terms, redacted if necessary?

The Mayor: The Housing Moves policy and procedure guide (Appendix A) sets out the roles and responsibilities of the various parties involved in the scheme. This states that a bidder's current landlord has a 48 hour target time to respond to information requests from the potential new landlord. If they are unable to respond within this time they must inform the receiving landlord, giving a timescale of when they can provide the information requested and reasons for any delay. The GLA’s Housing Mobility team runs training sessions with landlords to ensure they are aware of their role and responsibilities in relation to the scheme.
The team also undertakes regular monitoring of properties going through the lettings process. Where delays are identified, either through this process or by applicants or the landlords of applicants contacting them, the team will liaise with landlords and seek to resolve any issues.

The Mayor: MQ 2022 - 1357 Appendix A affordable housing.doc

Housebuilding in Brent (2)

Krupesh Hirani: How many of the 11,000 starts on new Council homes in London have been in the London Borough of Brent?

The Mayor: As of 31st March 2022, of the 12,791 starts on new City Hall-funded council homes in London, 954 homes were started in the London Borough of Brent.

London-wide approach to temporary accommodation

Siân Berry: During the London Assembly Housing Committee investigation into London’s private rented sector in March 2022, we heard about local authorities in west London placing residents in temporary accommodation in east London owing to the lower costs there and the requirement for a London-wide approach to homelessness. Did the GLA’s Enhanced Setting the Standard Programme [Ref ADD2415] seek to tackle this problem of inappropriate relocations? If so, what are the results and, if not, what action are you planning to take to deal with this issue?

The Mayor: I share your concerns about households being placed outside of their local areas. Although I do not have a statutory responsibility for temporary accommodation, I work closely with local authorities and organisations supporting homeless households.
Setting the Standard aims to ensure that all properties secured for homeless households in nightly-paid B&B and studio accommodation across London meet a suitable and safe property standard. The enhanced scheme, partially funded by the GLA, supported a pan-London approach to property inspections. Records are shared between participating boroughs to ensure confidence in the quality of accommodation procured and improve efficiencies.
I also supported Capital Letters, an accommodation procurement and management company that operates for the benefit of and is owned by boroughs. By enabling joint working, Capital Letters helps to reduce competition between boroughs and, as a result, to increase the potential for boroughs to accommodate homeless households within their own boundaries.

Reprimands for Breaking Face Covering Rules on Transport for London (2)

Krupesh Hirani: How many fine payments are still outstanding from passengers who broke face covering rules on Transport for London (TfL) services? What is the total value of these unpaid fines?

The Mayor: There are currently 710 unpaid Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) issued by Transport for London (TfL) Operational Officers for non-compliance of face covering regulations on the TfL network. Where FPNs remain unpaid, TfL can take prosecution action.
Of the 710 unpaid FPNs:
As all of the cases have passed the 14-day period, they will be valued at £200. Therefore, TfL estimates the total outstanding value is £142,000.

Affordable homes (3)

Tony Devenish: Further to MQ 2022/0225, could you please provide the latest figures as to how many homes each of the G15 housing associations has started to build from the 2016-23 Affordable Housing Programme?

The Mayor: The below table shows how many homes each of the G15 housing associations have started to build via the 2016-23 Affordable Housing Programme.
Data source: GLAOps as at end of April 2022
G15 member
Started on Sites (outturn)
A2 Dominion
1,577
A2Dominion Homes
1,577
Catalyst
1,368
Catalyst Housing Limited
1,368
Clarion
2,891
Affinity Sutton Homes Limited
10
Clarion Housing
561
Clarion Housing Group
2,320
Hyde
1,990
Hyde Housing Association Limited
1,990
L&Q
10,845
London & Quadrant Housing (L&Q)
10,845
Metropolitan Thames Valley
1,847
Metropolitan Housing Trust Limited
1,429
Thames Valley Housing Association Limited
418
Network Homes
1,847
Network Homes Limited
1,847
Notting Hill Genesis
5,082
Notting Hill Genesis
5,082
One Housing
1,420
One Housing Group Limited
1,420
Optivo
2,515
Optivo
2,515
Peabody
4,876
Peabody Trust
4,876
Southern Housing Group
602
Southern Housing Group Limited
602
Grand Total
36,860

Support for Housing Associations to acquire homes

Sem Moema: What support is the GLA providing to housing associations to help them acquire and refurbish homes?

The Mayor: The GLA can provide capital funding to all investment partners to purchase and convert market homes into affordable housing through the Mayor’s Affordable Homes Programmes, although some restrictions apply. The GLA also provides capital and revenue funding to support purchase and repair schemes through the Mayor’s Rough Sleeping Accommodation and Move On programmes. Housing associations can access GLA funding through each of these routes to support their acquisitions programmes.
I also wrote to housing associations last year inviting bespoke funding requests to support housing for Afghan returnees, including via acquisitions. I was pleased to recently allocate funding to Notting Hill Genesis to acquire 13 homes to help house Afghan families through this offer.

Affordable homes (1)

Tony Devenish: Further to MQ 2022/0223, could you please provide the latest figures as to how much funding has been provided to each of the G15 housing associations from the 2016-23 Affordable Housing Programme?

The Mayor: The below table shows how much funding has been provided to each of the G15 housing associations from the 2016-23 Affordable Housing Programme. It is essential to note that we are operating in incredibly challenging market conditions, so the figures provided here are under review and are subject to change.
Data source: GLAOps as at end of April 2022
G15 member
Grant £
RCGF £
DPF £
Total Funding £
A2 Dominion
£115,922,832
£10,010,000
£0
£125,932,832
A2Dominion Homes
£115,922,832
£10,010,000
£0
£125,932,832
Catalyst
£69,992,565
£26,866,989
£946,000
£97,805,554
Catalyst Housing Limited
£69,992,565
£26,866,989
£946,000
£97,805,554
Clarion
£166,986,426
£17,292,466
£4,927,287
£189,206,179
Affinity Sutton Homes Limited
£511,576
£24,424
£0
£536,000
Clarion Housing
£6,776,000
£0
£0
£6,776,000
Clarion Housing Group
£159,698,850
£17,268,042
£4,927,287
£181,894,179
Hyde
£111,128,870
£19,535,245
£112
£130,664,227
Hyde Housing Association Limited
£111,128,870
£19,535,245
£112
£130,664,227
L&Q
£450,285,960
£56,706,950
£3,095,040
£510,087,950
London & Quadrant Housing (L&Q)
£450,285,960
£56,706,950
£3,095,040
£510,087,950
Metropolitan Thames Valley
£81,379,976
£12,744,369
£398,547
£94,522,892
Metropolitan HT
£80,795,000
£5,272,000
£231,892
£86,298,892
Thames Valley HA
£584,976
£7,472,369
£166,655
£8,224,000
Network Homes
£80,254,245
£23,700,011
£0
£103,954,256
Network Homes Limited
£80,254,245
£23,700,011
£0
£103,954,256
Notting Hill Genesis
£152,561,897
£64,430,140
£2,233,000
£219,225,037
Notting Hill Genesis
£152,561,897
£64,430,140
£2,233,000
£219,225,037
One Housing
£72,625,515
£2,638,004
£0
£75,263,519
One Housing Group Limited
£72,625,515
£2,638,004
£0
£75,263,519
Optivo
£119,178,382
£26,871,618
£0
£146,050,000
Optivo
£119,178,382
£26,871,618
£0
£146,050,000
Peabody
£222,694,918
£24,214,510
£12,287,761
£259,197,189
Peabody Trust
£222,694,918
£24,214,510
£12,287,761
£259,197,189
Southern Housing Group
£39,597,792
£15,336,784
£11,216
£54,945,792
Southern Housing Grp Ltd
£39,597,792
£15,336,784
£11,216
£54,945,792
Grand Total
£1,682,609,378
£300,347,086
£23,898,963
£2,006,855,427

Engagement with trans and gender-diverse Londoners

Caroline Russell: In your response to the February 2022 London Assembly Health Committee report, Trans Health Matters, you stated that you engage with trans and gender-diverse people through roundtables and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group. Could you confirm which organisations are representing trans and gender-diverse people at these meetings?

The Mayor: There are currently two members that represent LGBTQ+ Londoners. Lisa Power, founder of Stonewall and trustee of Queer Britain, and Laks Mann, founder of Gaysians UK and a serving Metropolitan Police Officer.
I am in the process of confirming further members of the group.

Discounted pay as you go fares for apprentices and students

Siân Berry: If an apprentice or student studying in London seeks discounted pay as you go fares on Transport for London (TfL) services, what options are available to them?

The Mayor: Students and apprentices studying in London can buy a 16-25 or 26-30 Railcard and have the Railcard discount set on an Oyster card or Oyster photocard. The discount gives one-third off pay as you go off-peak fares on Tube, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line and most National Rail services in London.
Those eligible for an 18+ Student or Apprentice Oyster photocard can also get 30 per cent off Travelcard and Bus & Tram Pass season tickets. Further information on these concessions is available on the Transport for London website: https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/free-and-discounted-travel/national-railcard-discount?intcmp=54723

Cost of Living Hub

Marina Ahmad: How many Londoners have accessed your Cost of Living Hub since it launched?

The Mayor: Since the soft launch of the hub on 1 April 2022, 12,842 Londoners have accessed the Cost of Living Hub.
Following a soft-launch during the pre-election period in April, a larger campaign of awareness-raising activity to drive engagement with the hub is now being planned.

Debt Free London

Marina Ahmad: The Debt Free London helpline providedfree confidential and impartial advice to help Londoners with a range of problem debts, including rent arrears, council tax arrears, utility bills, credit card debt, and loan repayments. Funding for this service was extended to May 2022. How can you continue to help Londoners with debt post May 2022?

The Mayor: With no end in sight to the cost of living crisis, Debt Free London and services like them will continue to play a critical role in supporting Londoners struggling to pay their bills.
In April I launched the Cost of Living Hub on London.gov.uk which signposts Londoners to a wide range of support, including help dealing with debt. I’ll continue to promote the hub over the coming year and I’ll also be investing £3.7 million in a range of activities to increase the awareness and realisation of rights and entitlements, and boost capacity in the advice sector. This is in addition to the £1.7 million I’ve already invested in partnerships delivering community-based welfare and debt advice.
But no matter what I do from City Hall, Londoners will continue to struggle without more help from Government and I urge them to look again at what more support they can provide.

Skills Academies (2)

Len Duvall: Aside from hospitality, which other sectors will the skills academies cover?

The Mayor: The London Recovery Board identified the creative, digital, green, health and social care sectors as key to London’s recovery.Hospitality was subsequently added to the Mayor’s Academies Programme (MAP) in the light of high vacancy rates as the sector reopened in the summer 2021.
The priority sectors that will be supported by the MAP face some or all the following challenges:
• high vacancy rates
• skills shortages
• skills provision that does not consistently meet employer need, or is not accessible
• lack of workforce diversity/barriers to entry for specific groups
• negative ‘image’ of the sector or lack of awareness among potential applicants.

Skills Academies (3)

Len Duvall: How many skills academies are currently in place? Please provide a borough by borough breakdown of provision detailing how many places are available to students in each London borough and the City of London.

The Mayor: The Mayor’s Academies Programme (MAP) is designed to help address skills shortages in sectors key to London’s recovery (creative, digital, green, health, social care and hospitality) and support Londoners most affected by the pandemic into good work through a network of sector-focused hubs. The hubs are virtual partnerships made up of employers, training providers, public and third sector organisations which coordinate activity and signpost Londoners to training and employment opportunities.
The programme funds coordination activity, however hubs will measure the number of learners undertaking training provision across the delivery area defined by each hub. Londoners hoping to get involved can search the hubs by sector at The Mayor's Academies Hubs | London City Hall and follow links to the hub’s website.
In Q4 2021/22, 22 MAP hubs moved into grant and up to five additional hubs focussing on social care will be commissioned and launched in the autumn.

Building Safety Fund and Greenwich and Lewisham (2)

Len Duvall: How many accepted applications to the Building Safety Fund from buildings in Greenwich and Lewisham are still waiting for funding to be released?

The Mayor: Please see the answer to MQ2022/1585

Adult Education Marketing and Community Outreach Programme (1)

Hina Bokhari: Please outline which metrics will be used to evaluate the impact of your long-term adult education marketing and community outreach programme, as referenced to in 2022/0583.

The Mayor: Each strand of the adult education marketing and community outreach programme will have individual evaluation and success criteria
The Jobs and Skills Campaign aims to increase awareness of adult education opportunities and eligibility among those entitled to funded learning. Polling and research will be used to monitor this, including recognition of the campaign, increase in likelihood of taking up adult learning, and awareness of funding entitlements and how to apply for courses. The campaign also aims to increase visits to our website to find out more about adult education and to use our adult education provider map to find learning opportunities. We will monitor this through traffic to the campaign landing page, clicks to the provider map, and to provider websites from the map.

Revenue-Funded Hub Partnerships (Skills) 2

Len Duvall: Please detail the work being undertaken through these partnerships in order to progress the Sector Skills Academies. When is it expected that the Sector Skills academies will be providing the skills training needed to support London and Londoners?

The Mayor: The Mayor’s Academies Programme (MAP) is a £44m programme designed to help address skills shortages in sectors key to London’s recovery (creative, digital, green, health, social care and hospitality) and support Londoners most affected by the pandemic into good work. The hubs form one element of the programme and are designed to encourage collaboration between employers and training providers to ensure that Londoners can build the skills they need to secure good work in the priority sectors. 22 hubs were launched in Q4 2021/22 and rollout of delivery is currently underway. Hub providers are already delivering skills training in these sectors, but we anticipate existing courses to become more relevant through closer employer collaboration, along with new learning opportunities becoming available to meet employer demand.

Universal Basic Income Trial Findings

Hina Bokhari: Please set out a detailed timeline for when your research into UBI pilots across the UK and Europe will be completed and when we can expect your findings to be published.

The Mayor: In September 2021, the University of Essex published research on behalf of the GLA which assessed how Covid-19 had affected levels of financial hardship in London. Part of the research looked at the effectiveness of Government measures to protect incomes, including Universal Basic Income, during the pandemic.
The research showed that introducing a Universal Basic Income of £80-a-week in London would decrease poverty by 5.7 per cent, bringing 130,000 Londoners out of poverty. However, this would come at a substantial cost to the taxpayer, as it would be funded by a tax rise of three percentage points for each tax bracket.
We currently have no plans to do further research into UBI pilots across the UK and Europe. However, my officers will continue to monitor and review findings of notable studies such as the pilot currently taking place in Wales.

Universal Basic Income Trial in London (1)

Hina Bokhari: What representations have you made to the government about securing funding for a universal basic income trial in London?

The Mayor: The costs of a Universal Basic Income trial in London would be significant and certainly require commitment from the Government. You will be aware that a major trial of Universal Basic Income is currently underway in Wales. This pilot will provide a test for the stated benefits of basic income, such as addressing poverty and unemployment and improving health and financial wellbeing. I will follow the outcomes of this trial with interest. I remain committed to exploring a range of options for supporting Londoners in financial hardship.
In the context of the current cost of living crisis the existing welfare system remains the most effective tool to provide immediate and targeted financial support. However, the Government’s decisions not to uprate benefits in line with inflation in April and to retain policies like the benefit cap and the two-child limit are reducing its effectiveness. I will continue to urge the Government to revisit those decisions.

Universal Basic Income Trial in London (2)

Hina Bokhari: In the face of the spiralling cost of living, what work have you undertaken so far with government and London Boroughs to explore the viability of a Universal Basic Income trial in London?

The Mayor: The costs of implementing a Universal Basic Income trial in London would be significant and require commitment from Government. I’m interested in the outcomes of trials already taking place in Wales and other parts of the world. However, in the context of the current cost-of-living-crisis, we must focus on supporting Londoners in the here and now.
Whilst far from perfect, the existing welfare benefit system is the best way to do this. But Government must urgently increase payments to match inflation and scrap policies like the benefit cap and the two-child limit to move struggling households closer to meeting their basic costs.
For my part, I’ll continue doing what I can to help Londoners increase their incomes or reduce their costs, for example by investing £3.7 million in activities to help Londoners access all their rights and entitlements and supporting them to reduce their energy bills through my Warmer Homes Advice Service.

Food insecurity in London

Marina Ahmad: What actions are you taking to tackle food insecurity in London?

The Mayor: Food insecurity is a manifestation of poverty caused primarily by low income. Only Government holds the levers to truly tackle the poverty and low income experienced by too many Londoners and I’ll continue to lobby them to ensure the welfare system is accessible to all and covers the basic cost of living and housing.
For my part, I’ll continue working with partners through the Robust Safety Net mission to help Londoners maximise their incomes - and I’m investing an additional £3.7 million this year to raise awareness of financial rights and entitlements and bolster the advice sector. My Good Work Standard continues to encourage employers to offer fair pay and working conditions to their employees.
Unfortunately food banks remain a necessity so I’ll continue to support the food aid sector, including through the work of the London Food Board’s Food Aid Sub-Group. My officers are also developing the next stage of Food Roots Incubator programme, which is helping food aid providers develop sustainable approaches to tackling food insecurity.

Kerslake Review (4)

Siân Berry: Regarding the implementation of a strategic review of funding and finance opportunities, what types of investment do you consider are covered by the term ‘private sector capital’ in paragraph 5.57 of Lord Kerslake’s March 2022 report, Review of GLA Group Housing Delivery?

The Mayor: Following the success of my Land Fund, the Housing & Land Directorate has initiated work to establish areas of co-investment between public and private funding for an expanded Land Fund. The work is being supported by external consultancy and will explore opportunities for co-investment which support additional housing delivery as well as investment structures to enable this, whether in the form of joint ventures or via the establishment of one or several investment funds

Community Housing Fund

Siân Berry: Your Community Housing Fund capital funding is set to end in 2024-25. What progress have you made in securing new funding from the Government for community-led housing in London?

The Mayor: I am deeply disappointed at the Government’s recent decision not to fund a future round of the Community Housing Fund, despite my and other partners lobbying on this issue. I will continue to make the case for a new round of dedicated funding, and my Deputy Mayor for Housing will be writing to the Government on this matter. In the meantime, I very much welcome bids for the remainder of the Community Housing Fund and for capital funding for CLH through the 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme, for schemes that can start on site by 2026.

Metropolitan Police and Naloxone

Krupesh Hirani: Can you provide an update on whether the Metropolitan Police has identified a pilot site for trialling equipping its officers with Naloxone spray?

The Mayor: The Metropolitan Police have begun working with partners to carefully consider whether frontline officers should be equipped with Naloxone, however there is no pilot site identified at this time.

Orbital Bus Routes

Keith Prince: Providing examples, what work is TfL doing to expand orbital bus routes in outer London?

The Mayor: My response to Mayor’s Question 2021/1347 outlines many examples up until March 2021 of where and how Transport for London (TfL) has improved orbital bus services.
Currently, TfL is planning improvements of orbital feeder services into suburban Elizabeth line stations following a review of corridors into Elizabeth Line stations. It has already delivered some improvements in advance of the line opening, such as new routes 278 and limited stop X140 in the Hillingdon area serving Hayes and Harlington station, and new route 301 in Bexley and Greenwich serving Abbey Wood and Woolwich stations. This month, TfL is delivering improvements around Custom House station in time for the Elizabeth line opening, including introducing new route 304, and changes to routes 241, 300, 330, 376 and 474.
TfL continues to review the bus network and improve orbital links where there is a justification to do so.

Car ownership by household income

Siân Berry: The 2015 GLA report, Health Impact of Cars in London, includes a figure detailing household car ownership by household income, sourced from the London Travel Demand Survey undertaken in 2013-14. Could you provide an updated table of the most recent similar figures available from this survey, including a further breakdown by London borough?

The Mayor: Summary data is available from the London Travel Demand Survey for 2019. Data for 2020 and 2021 were collected on a more limited basis because of Coronavirus restrictions on fieldwork and are not statistically comparable with previous data. Data is provided in the attached table for car ownership and income at GLA level and car ownership by borough. Sample size limitations mean that it is not possible to cross-tabulate income groups against boroughs for a single year and data would need to be aggregated across the three most recent years (2017-2019).

The Mayor: 1347 - Car ownership by household income.xlsx

Celebrating Jamaican Independence

Krupesh Hirani: Jamaica will be celebrating its 60th year of independence this year. Around 250,000 Londoners are estimated to be of Jamaican descent. What is the Mayor doing to acknowledge this important milestone?

The Mayor: Jamaica will be celebrating its 60th year of independence this year. Around 250,000 Londoners are estimated to be of Jamaican descent. What is the Mayor doing to acknowledge this important milestone?
As with other independence days and significant anniversaries, I will reach out to London’s Jamaican community to share in their day of celebration and highlight its importance. I am aware that cultural and community groups are planning to host events across the city to mark this important day and myself and the Deputy Mayors will stay connected to these groups as their plans develop.

NHS bursary

Krupesh Hirani: As the cost of living spirals and the NHS struggles with significant gaps in its workforce, do you agree that the nursing bursary should be increased to help struggling students in London with the rise in rents, food prices and energy bills?

The Mayor: I am deeply concerned about the impact that growing cost of living pressures are having on Londoners, including student nurses in the capital – not least because I know how difficult things already are for so many, and have been for some time.Nurses, and other frontline healthcare workers, are the backbone of our NHS and a vital part of our healthcare system which has been pushed to its limit over the last year. I agree that the nursing training grant should be increased to help those struggling with the rising cost of living, recognising this is higher in London.

Step Free Access at Northwick Park Station

Krupesh Hirani: Northwick Park Hospital is the busiest NHS hospital site in Brent and Harrow serving residents in and beyond the area and is served by Northwick Park tube station. Are there any plans to make Northwick Park tube station step free?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is currently working with third parties, including the local authority and developers, to identify funding sources that would enable improvements to be made to Northwick Park tube station. These improvements could include step-free access and enhanced station capacity. However, even with third party contributions, there would still be a funding shortfall that would need to be addressed before the scheme could go ahead. Without long-term capital funding from Government, TfL will not be able to make further progress on delivering more step-free stations across its network.
TfL is currently reviewing the results of its recent public consultation to help shape future step-free access priorities and expects to communicate the outcomes of the consultation in the summer.

Right to Buy Back Scheme in Harrow

Krupesh Hirani: How many homes has Harrow Council bought through your Right to Buy Back scheme so far?

The Mayor: As of 11th May 2022, the London Borough of Harrow has bought no homes through my Right to Buy Back Fund.

Key Worker Affordable Housing

Krupesh Hirani: Which councils have so far committed to adopting your recently launched key worker list as part of their affordable housing allocations policy?

The Mayor: My key worker list is intended to help local authorities give key workers priority access to intermediate housing – and to do that in a way that’s consistent and transparent.
Local authorities might use my list by incorporating it into any intermediate housing allocations policy. As the GLA isn’t a statutory consultee for the former, I won’t necessarily be aware of councils using the list in this way. Local Planning Authorities may also incorporate the list into their local plan affordable housing policies. And forthcoming London Plan Guidance concerning the provision of affordable housing will reinforce my expectations regarding the allocation of affordable housing including intermediate homes.
More broadly, it is a condition of GLA funding for developing intermediate homes that providers have an equitable and targeted allocation process.
.

London Ambulance Service Volunteer Response

Krupesh Hirani: You have rightly supported the London Ambulance Service (LAS) ‘London Lifesaver’ campaign which trains ordinary Londoners to help patients in the initial stages of a cardiac arrest.
However, due to Government underfunding of the NHS and increasing pressures being placed on paramedics, do you share my concerns that the LAS is now looking to recruit volunteers to respond to ‘category 3’ 999 calls?

The Mayor: I am pleased to support LAS’ London Lifesavers campaign which aims to recruit and train 100,000 new London Lifesavers in chest compressions and using defibrillators – vital skills to help save lives in London.
Volunteers have always supported LAS’ work. Roles include Emergency and Community First volunteer responders who respond to 999 calls in their own cars alongside ambulances. Volunteer responders are trained to use defibrillators and respond alongside LAS staff to life-threatening emergency calls in their area. I understand LAS is planning to expand this programme to introduce a response for urgent but not immediately life-threatening cases, for example, patients whohave been clinically assessedas not needing an ambulance to get to hospital, but who might need support to walk.
I do not have responsibility for the delivery of health and care services. However, I meet regularly with the LAS and I will discuss this issue when I next meet them.